By: Tunji Okunlola
A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck down key provisions of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s revised timetable for the 2027 general elections, in a ruling that has drawn widespread relief from opposition parties, civil society groups and election monitors across Nigeria.
Justice M. G. Umar, delivering judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026 – a case filed by the Youth Party against INEC held that the electoral commission exceeded its statutory powers by imposing restrictive deadlines on political parties for the conduct of primaries and other pre-election activities. The court declared that INEC cannot lawfully abridge or limit periods already guaranteed under the Electoral Act, 2026, covering the submission of candidates’ particulars, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, publication of final candidate lists, and campaign windows.
Consequently, Justice Umar set aside the offending portions of INEC’s Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 polls, reaffirming the supremacy of legislative provisions over administrative guidelines issued by regulatory bodies.
At the heart of the dispute was the interpretation of Sections 29, 31, 32, 33, 82, 84(1) and 98 of the Electoral Act, 2026. The court held that while INEC retains powers to supervise and observe party primaries, those powers do not extend to altering statutory timelines enacted by the National Assembly.
The ruling triggered an immediate wave of positive reactions. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) described the judgment as vindication of its earlier objections to INEC’s guidelines, particularly the strict timelines on membership registration and the conduct of primaries. National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the party had always viewed those restrictions as designed to prevent defections from the ruling All Progressives Congress. “Now that the court has ruled against it, we are sure that, in the coming days, we will witness a mass exodus from the ruling party,” he said.
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) also welcomed the ruling, saying it restores critical responsibilities that political parties believe were previously encroached upon by INEC. National Publicity Secretary Muhammed Bello Ishaq said the judgment removes what he described as “unhealthy regimentation” of party activities, though he cautioned that complications could arise if INEC pursues an appeal.
The embattled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through the spokesperson of its Kabiru Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, described the verdict as a major affirmation of the rule of law and called on INEC to comply fully without delay.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) went further, calling for the resignation of INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan and demanding immediate compliance with the judgment. National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko argued that with elections drawing near, INEC has little room for prolonged litigation. “It is too late in the day for INEC to appeal because of the shortness of time to the election,” he said.
Election monitoring group the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), whose leader Wale Okunniyi had previously called for INEC’s timetable to be pushed back to at least September, said the earlier arrangement appeared designed to corner political actors and limit participation. “With this judgment, politicians who feel shortchanged in their parties now have enough time to move to other platforms and pursue their ambitions,” he said.
Legal analysts noted that the ruling does not strip INEC of its timetabling powers, but draws a clear line between administrative scheduling and the statutory rights of parties enshrined in law. PDP’s National Vice Chairman for the Southwest, Kamorudeen Ajibade, a lawyer, put it plainly: “The issue is not whether INEC can issue a timetable because it clearly can but whether the commission can impose deadlines that restrict statutory rights already created by the Electoral Act.”
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) urged INEC to immediately revise its 2027 schedule in line with the ruling, highlighting among its gains the exemption of substitution primaries from strict Electoral Act timelines and the affirmation that INEC cannot unilaterally shorten statutory windows for candidate submission.
With eight months to the presidential election, the judgment is widely expected to reshape the political landscape by giving opposition parties more time to negotiate alliances, accommodate defectors and consolidate their structures before the contest begins.
Tags: #Youth Party #ADC #PDP #INEC Timetable #Federal High Court