A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified parts of the revised 2027 election timetable issued by Independent National Electoral Commission, ruling that the electoral body lacks the statutory power to impose certain deadlines on political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar, is already generating major political reactions across Nigeria, with opposition parties predicting a wave of defections from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Court Says INEC Cannot Override Electoral Act
The court held that the timelines fixed by INEC for party primaries, submission of membership registers, candidate replacement, and campaign schedules were inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
According to the judgment, political parties retain the legal right to conduct primaries and submit candidate particulars within the statutory periods provided by law, rather than within compressed timelines imposed administratively by INEC.
Justice Umar specifically ruled that:
INEC cannot lawfully shorten the statutory timeframe for submission of candidate particulars.
Political parties can still withdraw or substitute candidates up to 90 days before elections as provided by law.
The electoral body cannot publish final candidate lists earlier than legally permitted.
Campaign timelines fixed by INEC must align strictly with provisions of the Electoral Act.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2016, was filed by the Youth Party against INEC.
What the Judgment Means Politically
The ruling effectively widens the political space ahead of the 2027 elections.
Under the earlier INEC timetable:
-Parties were expected to submit membership registers by May 10, 2026.
-Primaries were to end by May 31, 2026 and
-Only members listed in submitted registers could participate in primaries.
With the court’s decision, parties now reportedly have until September 2026 to make membership adjustments and organize internal processes.
Political analysts believe this development could encourage politicians dissatisfied with their parties’ primaries to defect and contest under alternative platforms.
INEC Reacts
Reacting to the judgment, INEC Deputy Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Wilfred Olisama, said the commission was still reviewing the court decision in detail.
According to him, the timelines issued by the commission were designed to create operational flexibility and administrative order ahead of the elections.
He maintained that the Electoral Act provides maximum deadlines, while INEC retains the responsibility to structure workable operational schedules for parties and election preparations.
Olisama also suggested that the matter was fundamentally about interpretation of the law rather than a direct attack on the commission itself.
Opposition Parties Welcome Verdict
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) described the ruling as a victory for democracy and called on Nigerians to join the party to “salvage the country from bad governance.”
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said the judgment validated concerns it earlier raised over restrictive timelines introduced by INEC.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, predicted that Nigerians would soon witness a “mass exodus” from the APC following the ruling.
Yiaga Africa Backs Judgment
Civil society organisation Yiaga Africa also backed the verdict.
IIts Executive Director, Samson Itodo, said the ruling reaffirmed the supremacy of the Electoral Act over administrative guidelines.
He urged INEC to transparently engage political parties and stakeholders on the next steps, whether through compliance, appeal, or revision of the election timetable.
Legal Experts Speak
Former presidential aspirant Gbenga Hashim praised the judgment, describing it as a courageous defence of constitutional order and rule of law.
Legal practitioner Babatunde Tijani also noted that the ruling would likely compel INEC to issue fresh guidelines for the 2027 elections.
According to him, political parties that have already conducted primaries may now have room to replace candidates, while those yet to conduct primaries gain additional flexibility.
Implications for 2027 Elections
The ruling may significantly reshape political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections by:
-Expanding opportunities for defections and alliances.
-Giving parties more flexibility in organizing primaries.
Potentially increasing internal party competition.
-Forcing INEC to review or appeal aspects of its timetable.
-Observers say the judgment could become one of the defining legal developments shaping Nigeria’s pre-2027 political landscape.
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