A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified parts of the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the conduct of party primaries and nomination of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar, the court held that several timelines fixed by INEC were inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The court specifically set aside INEC’s May 10 deadline which required political parties to submit a register and database of all their members as a condition for participation in the general elections.
Justice Umar ruled that INEC lacked the statutory authority to impose timelines that shortened periods already provided for under the Electoral Act.
The judgment followed a suit filed by the Youth Party seeking to compel INEC to comply with the 120-day pre-election deadline stipulated in the Electoral Act for submission of party registers and candidates’ particulars.
According to the court, Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 allows political parties to submit personal particulars of candidates not later than 120 days before an election, adding that INEC could not lawfully reduce that period through its timetable.
The court also held that INEC lacked powers to shorten the 90-day period allowed under Section 31 of the Electoral Act for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates.
Justice Umar further ruled that INEC could not publish the final list of candidates earlier than the 60-day minimum period prescribed by law.
The court equally declared that INEC had no authority under Section 98 of the Electoral Act to direct political campaigns to end two days before elections.
It subsequently ordered the nullification of all timelines in INEC’s revised timetable that were found inconsistent with the Electoral Act, 2026.
Following the judgment, the Coalition of United Political Parties and several other political parties called on INEC to immediately obey the ruling and review its timetable for the 2027 elections.
Acting National Chairman of CUPP, Chief Peter Ameh, described the judgment as progressive and constitutionally compliant, warning that any attempt to appeal the decision could create uncertainty and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
According to him, at least 14 political parties had already resolved to extend their internal election schedules to accommodate new defectors and ensure a more inclusive nomination process.
Former presidential candidate, Gbenga Hashim, also hailed the judgment, saying it vindicated his earlier position that INEC exceeded its powers under the Electoral Act.
Hashim commended Justice Umar for what he described as a courageous judgment that reaffirmed the supremacy of the law and strengthened democratic governance in the country.
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