Opposition political parties on Thursday welcomed a Federal High Court judgment that voided key deadlines in the Independent National Electoral Commission’s revised timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The parties described the ruling as a major victory for internal party democracy and wider political participation.
Justice M. G. Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified sections of INEC’s timetable relating to party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, replacement of candidates and deadlines for membership registers. The court ruled that the electoral body exceeded its powers by shortening timelines already provided under the Electoral Act 2026.
The judgment followed a suit filed by the Youth Party against INEC. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, challenged aspects of the commission’s revised timetable for the 2027 elections.
INEC had directed political parties to conduct their primaries within a compressed timeframe ahead of the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly elections scheduled for February and March 2027.
The commission also fixed deadlines for submitting candidates’ particulars, replacing candidates, publishing final candidate lists and ending campaigns before the periods stipulated in the Electoral Act.
However, Justice Umar ruled that the deadlines contradicted the law.
The judge held that although INEC has powers to monitor party primaries and receive notices from political parties, it lacks the authority to create timelines outside those stated in the Electoral Act.
Justice Umar ruled that Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act requires political parties to submit candidates’ particulars not later than 120 days before an election. He stressed that INEC could not lawfully reduce that period through its timetable.
The court also ruled that Section 31 of the Act allows political parties to withdraw and replace candidates up to 90 days before an election. The judge added that INEC lacked powers to impose an earlier deadline.
Justice Umar further declared unlawful INEC’s decision to publish final candidates’ lists earlier than the minimum 60-day period prescribed by law.
On political campaigns, the court ruled that INEC could not order political parties to end campaigns two days before elections because the Electoral Act already contains provisions governing campaign periods.
The judge also ruled that timelines fixed by INEC for submission of membership registers for party primaries do not apply when parties conduct fresh primaries to replace withdrawn candidates.
Consequently, the court set aside the affected portions of INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
Justice Umar declared that the timelines imposed by INEC were “inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.”
The Youth Party argued that INEC unlawfully attempted to curtail statutory rights granted to political parties under the Electoral Act through the revised timetable.
Counsel for the plaintiff, J.O. Olotu, urged the court to void the disputed provisions, while INEC’s lawyer, Sarafa Yusuf, asked the court to dismiss the suit.
INEC Considers Appeal
INEC said it is reviewing the judgment and may appeal the ruling.
A senior official of the commission, who spoke anonymously with The PUNCH, said the electoral body had not taken a final decision but was likely to challenge the judgment.
“The commission is currently reviewing the court order, and it will take a position on it. Of course, it is expected to appeal the order,” the official said.
Opposition Parties Welcome Verdict
The African Democratic Congress, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the judgment as a vindication of the party’s earlier objections to aspects of INEC’s guidelines.
The ADC said it had specifically objected to the strict timelines on membership registration and party primaries.
“The decision of the court on these issues, including those that directly contradict the constitution, is therefore a welcome vindication of our position,” the party said.
The party added that the ruling removed restrictions that hindered politicians from seeking alternative political platforms.
“We believed at the time that the particular restriction was designed to prevent people from leaving the ruling party, APC.
“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,” the statement read.
The Social Democratic Party and the Peoples Redemption Party also praised the judgment in separate statements issued in Abuja.
SDP National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, described the ruling as a boost for Nigeria’s democracy.
“It is a positive and welcome development for our national quest for democratic consolidation and for the strengthening of political party administration in Nigeria.
“The judgment has done a great deal of reinforcement for our democracy by buffering political parties from undue pressures from the regulators of our electoral processes.
“True Nigerian democrats hail this judicial action as a plus for our efforts to deepen our democracy as a nation. Kudos to the Nigerian judiciary,” he said.
The PRP also welcomed the ruling, saying it restored important powers to political parties.
PRP National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, said the party was studying the judgment carefully but noted that the earlier timetable appeared to favour the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“On the face of it, it promotes the growth and development of our democratic culture by restoring critical responsibilities to political parties, which INEC had usurped. It expands the scope for decision-making within parties and removes the unhealthy regimentation of our activities.
“Undoubtedly, there will be challenges ahead. INEC may choose to appeal, although we hope that patriots and influential stakeholders will intervene to restrain such actions,” he said.
The Coalition of United Political Parties also described the judgment as a landmark decision that broadens democratic participation and strengthens internal party autonomy.
CUPP Acting National Chairman, Peter Ameh, urged INEC to immediately align its timetable with the court ruling.
According to him, 14 political parties have agreed to extend their internal election timetables to accommodate fresh defectors and encourage a more inclusive nomination process.
“The Coalition of United Political Parties and other major political parties have welcomed the landmark judgment of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice M.G. Umar on Thursday, which has reshaped the electoral process for the 2027 general elections.
“In a unanimous position, the parties urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to immediately comply with the court ruling by adjusting its revised timetable to align with the judgment.
“The court’s pronouncements have expanded the democratic space by granting political parties greater flexibility in their internal affairs,” the statement read.
Ameh added that the ruling strengthened internal party democracy, upheld party autonomy and protected the rights of aspirants and candidates.
A chieftain of the African Action Congress and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, said the party had always maintained that “Political parties must not become mere appendages of INEC.”
He added that the AAC “fully supports the right of political parties to independently determine their own timetables, processes, and internal democratic activities without undue interference.”
The Young Progressives Party also backed the judgment.
YPP National Publicity Secretary, Wale Egbeola-Martins, said the earlier timelines set by INEC were too short and could negatively affect the electoral process.
“YPP supports the judgment in its entirety.
“The ruling reinforces our long-held position that the timeframe earlier provided by INEC for the conduct of congresses and party primaries was too short and capable of negatively affecting the overall electoral process,” he said.
The party added that “Democracy thrives on inclusiveness, fairness and adequate preparation,” stressing that extending timelines for party registration and other electoral activities would give political parties and participants enough opportunity to organise properly and take part in the democratic process.
