Court nullifies parts of INEC’s 2027 election timetable

A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified key aspects of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.

Delivering judgment in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026 filed by the Youth Party, Justice M. G. Umar held that INEC acted beyond its statutory powers by imposing electoral timelines not backed by the Electoral Act, 2026.

The court ruled that while INEC has the authority to monitor and observe party primaries, it cannot fix or dictate when political parties must conduct their primary elections.

It stated that the powers of INEC to receive notices of primaries and observe the process do not extend to prescribing timelines for political parties’ nomination processes.

The judge further held that political parties retain the legal right under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act to submit candidates’ particulars up to 120 days before an election, adding that INEC cannot shorten that timeframe through administrative directives.

The court also reaffirmed the 90-day constitutional window for withdrawal and substitution of candidates, ruling that INEC cannot impose earlier deadlines for such processes.

On campaign activities, Justice Umar faulted INEC’s directive that campaigns should end two days before the election, describing it as lacking statutory backing under Section 98 of the Electoral Act.

The court further restrained INEC from publishing the final list of candidates earlier than the 60-day minimum period required by law.

It also ruled that timelines for submission of membership registers do not apply to primary elections conducted for the replacement of withdrawn candidates.

Consequently, the court set aside all portions of the revised timetable that were inconsistent with the Electoral Act, 2026, including provisions on primaries, candidate submission deadlines, substitution of candidates, publication of final lists, and campaign timelines.

The judgment effectively restores statutory timelines governing the electoral process and limits INEC’s power to impose additional restrictions outside the law.

The development is expected to impact political arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly for aspirants affected by party primaries, including former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege and Senator Ned Nwoko, who lost their senatorial bids during the APC primaries.