A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the deadlines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for political parties to conduct primaries and submit candidates for elections, ruling that the timelines are inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to the court judgment, INEC exceeded its legal powers by imposing fixed dates for party primaries, submission of candidate lists, withdrawal or substitution of candidates, and publication of final candidate lists ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The court held that the Electoral Act already provides specific statutory timelines—such as the 120-day window for submission of candidates’ details and the 90-day period for substitution of candidates—which INEC cannot shorten or alter through its election timetable.
It therefore set aside the Commission’s revised election timetable and schedule of activities, describing the affected provisions as unlawful and inconsistent with the Electoral Act 2026.
The judgment followed a suit filed by the Youth Party, which argued that INEC’s guidelines unlawfully restricted the internal processes of political parties and undermined provisions of the Electoral Act.
While political parties have welcomed the ruling as a relief that restores their autonomy, INEC is expected to study the judgment and may decide whether to appeal.
