The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified key aspects of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election.
Justice Mohammed Umar in a ruling delivered on Wednesday said the electoral body exceeded its statutory powers by shortening timelines expressly guaranteed under the Electoral Act, 2026.
The case with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026 was filed by the Youth Party against INEC.
The court held that INEC lacks the authority to prescribe timelines for party primaries beyond what is provided in the Electoral Act.
“A Declaration is hereby made that upon a proper consideration and interpretation of the provisions of Sections 29, 82 and 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, the powers of the Defendant… does not extend to fixing or prescribing the timetable within which political parties may conduct their primary elections,” Justice Umar ruled.
The court further declared that INEC could not lawfully abridge the statutory 120-day period allowed for political parties to submit the personal particulars of candidates before elections.
“A Declaration is made that having regards to Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026… the Defendant cannot lawfully abridge or limit that statutory period by prescribing a shorter timeframe in its 2027 election timetable,” the court held.
Justice Umar also voided INEC’s earlier deadlines for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates, maintaining that Section 31 of the Electoral Act permits political parties to make such changes up to 90 days before an election.
The court equally ruled that the electoral commission lacked powers to publish the final list of candidates earlier than the 60-day minimum period stipulated by law.
On electioneering campaigns, the judge held that INEC acted outside its powers by directing political parties to end campaigns two days before elections.
“A Declaration is made that upon a proper construction of Section 98 of the Electoral Act, 2026, the Defendant does not possess the statutory authority to fix in its timetable for the 2027 general elections for campaign to end two days before the elections,” the judgement stated.
In another significant pronouncement, the court clarified that the timeframe prescribed by INEC for submission of membership registers for party primaries does not apply when parties conduct fresh primaries to replace withdrawn candidates.
Consequently, Justice Umar granted an order nullifying all portions of INEC’s revised timetable found to be inconsistent with the Electoral Act, 2026.
“Order is hereby granted setting aside or nullifying the time-frames imposed by the Defendant in its Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for 2027 General Election… which are inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026,” the court ruled.
The judgement is expected to compel INEC to review its timetable for the 2027 General Election and could significantly affect preparations by political parties ahead of the polls.
