- Court annuls INEC’s 2027 election timetable, says inconsistent with Electoral Act
Justice M.G. Umar of the Abuja Federal High Court has set aside key provisions of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Umar ruled that the electoral body lacks the authority to abridge timelines expressly provided by the Electoral Act, 2026. These timelines govern party primaries, the submission of candidate particulars, the withdrawal and substitution of candidates, the publication of final candidate lists, and campaign periods.
The suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026) was initiated by the Youth Party (YP) against INEC, The Guardian reports. The plaintiff argued that the commission exceeded its statutory powers by fixing timelines that effectively shortened periods guaranteed under the Electoral Act.
Justice Umar ruled in favor of the plaintiff, granting all declaratory reliefs sought. The court specifically held that, under Sections 29, 82, and 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, INEC’s mandate to receive notices of party primaries and monitor such exercises does not grant it the power to prescribe the period within which political parties must conduct their primaries.
Key Court Rulings:
- Candidate Particulars: INEC cannot lawfully shorten the statutory 120-day period provided under Section 29(1) of the Act for the submission of candidate particulars.
- Withdrawal and Substitution: The commission lacks the power to abridge the 90-day window allowed under Section 31 of the Act for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates.
- Final List Publication: INEC cannot publish the final list of candidates earlier than the 60-day minimum period stipulated by law.
- Campaign Periods: Under Section 98 of the Electoral Act, 2026, INEC has no statutory authority to mandate that campaigns must end two days before election day.
- Membership Registers: The court ruled that the timeframe prescribed by INEC for the submission of membership registers for party primaries does not apply to situations involving the replacement of withdrawn candidates.
Consequently, the court nullified the timelines imposed by INEC in its revised 2027 election schedule, declaring them inconsistent with the Electoral Act, 2026. The orders specifically invalidate the commission’s adjustments to party primaries, candidate documentation processes, and campaign activity limits.
