The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned until Wednesday, September 16, a suit challenging the nomination of candidates by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, for the 2027 general elections.

The suit was instituted by six plaintiffs, including Naheem Balogun, who is challenging the party’s nomination for the Lagos State governorship election, and Paul Olaleke, who is contesting the party’s decision over its candidate for the Epe constituency.

The matter came before Justice D.E. Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, where counsel to the plaintiffs, Monday Mawah, sought the joinder of Funso Doherty, the party’s nominee, as well as an amendment to the pending suit.

Counsel to the NDC, D.D. Duru, opposed the application.

Following the arguments, the court adjourned proceedings until Wednesday, September 16, to determine whether Doherty should be joined as a party to the suit.

Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, plaintiffs’ counsel, Monday Mawah, described the case as straightforward, stressing that Doherty’s appearance before the court could help clarify the dispute surrounding the governorship primary.

Mawah said the plaintiffs wanted Doherty to appear and respond to the question of whether she actually won the primary election, arguing that her response would help the court determine the issue before it.

He explained that the suit was filed after the plaintiffs became concerned over reports that the party might change or swap some of its candidates following the primary elections.

According to him, the plaintiffs initially acted on what turned out to be rumours, but became more concerned when reports emerged that Doherty was proceeding to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, despite the absence of any official communication to Balogun by the party.

Mawah said Balogun had not been officially informed by the NDC that his candidacy had been altered or that another person had been presented in his place.

Balogun, who is the first plaintiff in the suit, alleged that he emerged as the winner of the NDC Lagos State governorship primary and that the result was documented by INEC.

He further alleged that, despite his claim of victory, he was later approached by an individual within the lower structure of the party to consider becoming the running mate to Funso Doherty.

Balogun said the proposal was unacceptable to him because, according to his account, he had already won the governorship primary and had not relinquished his alleged mandate.

He maintained that his demand was simply for what he described as the restoration of his mandate, insisting that he emerged winner of the primary through a fair process.

The second plaintiff, Paul Olaleke, is also challenging the party’s decision regarding his candidacy.

Olaleke alleged that he emerged unopposed in the party’s primary for the Epe constituency, but said the NDC subsequently announced another person as its candidate.

The plaintiffs are therefore seeking judicial intervention over what they consider irregularities in the party’s handling of the outcome of the primaries and subsequent nomination of candidates.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, the court is expected to determine the application seeking to join Funso Doherty in the suit. The decision could further shape the ongoing dispute over the NDC’s candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

The case remains before the Federal High Court, with the claims made by the plaintiffs yet to be finally determined by the court.