Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has welcomed a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the Independent National Electoral Commission’s timelines for the conduct of party primaries ahead of the 2027 general election.
Gatekeeepers News reports that in a statement issued on Saturday, Yusuf Dantalle, national chairman of IPAC, said the ruling had restored the constitutional rights of political parties to independently determine the timing of their primaries and other internal activities.
Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier ruled that INEC lacked the constitutional powers to impose rigid schedules for party primaries and submission of candidates ahead of elections.
The court held that political parties are independent organisations entitled to manage their internal affairs within the provisions of the Electoral Act and the constitution.
Reacting to the judgment, IPAC said the decision would strengthen democracy and promote fairness in the country’s electoral process.
“Political parties’ constitutional rights have been restored,” Dantalle said.
“This judgment has reaffirmed the autonomy of political parties as guaranteed by the constitution and the Electoral Act.”
He added that the ruling would allow parties to properly organise their activities without what he described as undue interference from the electoral commission.
According to IPAC, political parties are better positioned to determine suitable dates for their primaries based on their internal structures and circumstances, provided such activities remain within the broader legal framework governing elections.
The council also urged INEC to respect the judgment and work collaboratively with political parties to ensure credible and peaceful elections in 2027.
The ruling comes amid ongoing preparations by major political parties for the 2027 polls, with several parties already conducting presidential, governorship and legislative primaries across the country.
