The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in the case between the Youth Party and INEC (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026), has ruled against several timelines fixed by INEC for the 2027 elections.
Key highlights from the judgment delivered by Hon. Justice M. G. Umar include:
INEC cannot legally dictate or shorten the timeframe within which political parties conduct their primaries for the 2027 elections.
The court held that under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, political parties have up to 120 days before the election to submit candidates’ particulars, and INEC cannot reduce that period.
Under Section 31 of the Electoral Act, parties can withdraw and replace candidates up to 90 days before the election, and INEC cannot impose an earlier deadline.
INEC cannot publish the final list of candidates earlier than the 60-day minimum period prescribed by law.
The court also ruled that INEC lacks the authority to force campaigns to end two days before elections if such directive conflicts with the Electoral Act.
Importantly, the court declared that the timeframe fixed by INEC for submission of membership registers is not applicable in cases involving replacement of withdrawn candidates.
The court finally nullified the conflicting timelines contained in INEC’s Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Elections, declaring them inconsistent with the Electoral Act 2026.
This judgment is likely to reshape political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections, especially concerning party primaries, defections, substitutions, and candidate nominations.
