A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and publish the names of candidates forwarded by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026.
The ruling was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Mohammed Umar in a suit filed by 17 aspiring ADC candidates.
The plaintiffs challenged INEC’s refusal to grant the ADC electronic access to upload their candidates’ names to the electoral commission’s portal, arguing that they fulfilled all legal requirements for participation in the forthcoming polls.
The court held that the evidence presented by the applicants was credible and proved their case beyond reasonable doubt, justifying the relief sought.
Justice Umar directed INEC to recognise and publish the names of the plaintiffs as ADC candidates for the various positions they seek in the FCT Area Council elections.
The court also ordered the electoral body to provide the ADC with the necessary electronic access to upload candidate details, citing relevant provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and the INEC Election Guidelines.
The list of candidates the court ordered to be uploaded includes Jafaru Shaibu, Ayenajeyi Yakubu, Dauda Awode, Ezra Zaki, Sunday Abraham, and Ayuba Adam, among others.
Also included are Jamilu Kabiru, Nuhu Madaki, Ibrahim Ali, Ogwuche Linus, Chibuike Anyika, Okechukwu Ironkwe, Godwin Adoga, Agada John, Onuoha Goodness, Mahrazu Bichi, and Tobias Obechina.
In their affidavit supporting the suit, the plaintiffs stated that they emerged from the ADC’s substitution primary election after earlier nominated candidates withdrew before the submission deadline on August 11, 2025.
They explained that attempts to upload their names through the party’s ICT staff were unsuccessful because INEC failed to recognise the signatures of the current national leadership of the ADC led by Senator David Mark and Mr Rauf Aregbesola.
The plaintiffs alleged that despite writing to INEC for access codes and attempting to comply with statutory timelines, the commission allegedly refused to accept correspondence from their lawyers, prompting the court action.
They asked the court to determine whether INEC was obligated by law to grant access required to upload their nomination forms.
Justice Umar’s judgment affirmed that the plaintiffs complied with statutory requirements and that INEC’s refusal to grant electronic access violated provisions of the electoral law.
The judgement emphasised that INEC must respect its obligations under the 2022 Electoral Act and its own guidelines to ensure that qualified candidates are not unjustly excluded from the electoral process.
The court order marks a significant development in preparations for the FCT Area Council elections, mandating the inclusion of the ADC candidates on the ballot and requiring INEC to facilitate their participation without further delay.
