INEC challenges court ruling on 2027 timetable

The Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission) has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge a Federal High Court ruling that nullified key deadlines in its timetable for the 2027 general elections.

INEC is also seeking a stay of execution of the judgment to suspend its effect pending the determination of the appeal.

The appeal follows a judgment delivered on May 20 by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja in a case filed by the Youth Party against INEC. The court had held that the commission’s revised election timetable and schedule of activities violated provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, and therefore set it aside.

The court ruled that INEC’s powers under relevant sections of the Electoral Act do not extend to fixing timelines for party primaries, stating that its role is limited to receiving notices, monitoring primaries, and handling candidate documentation.

The affected provisions include deadlines for party primaries, submission of candidates’ details, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, publication of final lists, and campaign timelines.

In its notice of appeal filed through a legal team led by Dr. Alex Izinyon, INEC raised nine grounds of appeal, arguing that the trial court failed to properly determine its jurisdictional objection, thereby denying it fair hearing.

The commission also contended that the Youth Party lacked the legal standing to institute the suit, describing the case as hypothetical and academic in nature.

On the substantive issue, INEC argued that the trial judge misinterpreted provisions of the Electoral Act, insisting that the law still allows the commission to coordinate key election timelines, including notices for primaries and submission deadlines for candidates.

INEC therefore urged the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment in its entirety and dismiss the case for lack of locus standi.