The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in the dispute over the list of winners of the APC primary elections in Benue State.
The order was made on Monday, July 21, 2026, by Hon. Justice I. E. Ekwo in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026 between Engr. Sesugh Kaba (Plaintiff) and the All Progressives Congress (1st Defendant) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (2nd Defendant).
According to the order by Justice Ekwo: “Parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante pending the determination of this case.”
The decision arose from an ex parte motion dated July 4, 2026, and filed on July 5, 2026, in which the plaintiff sought, among other reliefs, an interim order restraining the APC, whether acting through its National Chairman, National Working Committee, officers, employees or representatives, from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State for the 2027 General Election through its June 29, 2026 correspondence or any subsequent correspondence to INEC.
The plaintiff also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of its validly nominated candidates in Benue State, whose primary elections were monitored by the electoral commission, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Following proceedings, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to August 27, 2026, for hearing.
