A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has delivered a landmark judgment nullifying key timelines and regulations issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Justice M.G Umar, who delivered the ruling on Thursday, held that INEC lacks the powers to impose certain deadlines and conditions on political parties regarding the conduct of primary elections, submission of candidates, and substitution procedures.
The court also ruled that aspirants who lost party primaries can defect to another political party and still emerge as candidates through substitution processes for the 2027 elections.
The judgment is expected to significantly reshape political party activities and electoral preparations ahead of the next general elections.
According to the ruling, the court invalidated the Electoral Act provision requiring political parties to submit their membership registers at least 21 days before conducting primary elections.
Justice Umar further held that fresh membership registers can still be submitted by political parties and aspirants listed in such registers are eligible to participate in substitution primaries.
In another major pronouncement, the court nullified INEC’s revised timetable for party primaries, ruling that the electoral body cannot dictate dates for internal party affairs.
The court also struck down INEC’s decision to shorten the timeline for submission of particulars of nominated candidates by political parties.
Similarly, the court nullified INEC’s powers to reduce the time frame for substitution of candidates, insisting that such powers are not supported by law.
Justice Umar further ruled that INEC cannot publish the final list of candidates outside the constitutionally required minimum 60-day period before elections.
The judgment also invalidated INEC’s revised timetable covering the conduct of party primaries, candidate submissions, publication of candidates’ particulars, substitution of candidates, and the controversial 21-day register submission requirement.
The development is expected to trigger fresh political realignments as parties and aspirants prepare for the 2027 elections.
The judgment was disclosed by Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, APP Caucus Leader in the House of Representatives and representative of Ideato North and South Federal Constituency.
