Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Federal High Court in Abuja has invalidated the timelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the conduct of party primaries and the nomination of candidates. In a judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar, the court also set aside a May 10 deadline imposed by the electoral umpire, which required political parties to submit their membership registers as a prerequisite for participating in the general elections. The ruling followed a legal action instituted by the Youth Party, which sought to compel the commission to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
Justice Umar declared that the timeframes prescribed by the commission for the conduct of primaries and the submission, withdrawal, or replacement of candidate particulars were inconsistent with the Electoral Act. Specifically, the court held that under Section 29(1) of the Act, which provides a 120-day deadline before an election for the submission of candidate details, the electoral body cannot lawfully abridge the statutory period by fixing a shorter timeframe. The court further ruled that the commission lacks the authority to limit the 90-day window permitted for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates, or to publish the final list of candidates earlier than the mandatory 60 days prescribed by law. Additionally, the judge nullified the directive mandating campaigns to end two days before the polls.
Reacting to the development, political stakeholders commended the judicial intervention. The Coalition of United Political Parties urged the electoral commission to obey the court order and adjust its revised timetable accordingly. The Acting National Chairman of CUPP, Peter Ameh, described the judgment as progressive and constitutionally compliant. He disclosed that no fewer than 14 political parties had resolved to extend their internal election schedules to accommodate new defectors and ensure a more inclusive nomination process. The coalition warned that any attempt to appeal the ruling could create unnecessary uncertainty and undermine the credibility of the upcoming elections.
Similarly, a former presidential candidate, Gbenga Hashim, lauded the court’s decision, noting that it vindicated his long-held position that the electoral body had exceeded its statutory powers. Hashim recalled his previous warnings, including an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, against actions that could undermine the Electoral Act. He praised the judge for his courage and fidelity to justice, describing the ruling as a necessary step towards protecting the integrity of the nation's electoral process and strengthening democratic governance.
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