A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified aspects of the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general elections. Justice Mohammed Umar, in a judgment delivered in Abuja, held that the timelines imposed by INEC on political parties for conducting primaries, submitting candidates’ particulars, […]
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A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified aspects of the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general elections.
Justice Mohammed Umar, in a judgment delivered in Abuja, held that the timelines imposed by INEC on political parties for conducting primaries, submitting candidates’ particulars, and replacing candidates were inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, was filed by the Youth Party against INEC, challenging the commission’s authority to prescribe timelines for party primaries and related electoral processes.
The court ruled that under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, political parties are only required to submit the particulars of candidates not later than 120 days before an election, and that INEC cannot lawfully shorten that period through its timetable.
Justice Umar also held that INEC lacked the authority to impose earlier deadlines for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates beyond what is stipulated under Section 31 of the Electoral Act.
In addition, the court declared that the commission could not publish the final list of candidates before the minimum 60-day period provided by law, nor could it determine campaign deadlines inconsistent with statutory provisions.
The ruling effectively set aside the timelines contained in INEC’s revised election timetable that were deemed inconsistent with the Electoral Act, 2026.
The judgment comes amid growing controversy surrounding party primaries, particularly within the All Progressives Congress (APC), where several aspirants had protested alleged imposition of candidates and other irregularities.
Meanwhile, INEC is reportedly reviewing the judgment and may challenge the ruling on appeal.
Reacting to the development, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomed the judgment, describing it as a vindication of concerns earlier raised over the electoral timetable. The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) also said the ruling would strengthen internal democracy within political parties.
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