A Federal High Court judgment has sparked widespread political and legal reactions after it nullified the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (Independent National Electoral Commission) revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
The court ruled that several provisions of the timetable were inconsistent with the Electoral Act 2026, particularly those relating to deadlines for party primaries, submission of candidate names, withdrawals, substitutions, and campaign timelines.
Justice Mohammed Umar, who delivered the judgment in a suit filed by the Youth Party, held that INEC exceeded its statutory powers by imposing deadlines that conflict with provisions of the Electoral Act governing electoral processes.
Following the ruling, legal experts and Senior Advocates of Nigeria expressed mixed reactions. While many praised the decision as a reinforcement of constitutional supremacy and the rule of law, others noted that it could create operational challenges for INEC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Some lawyers argued that the judgment could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape by reopening opportunities for dissatisfied aspirants to defect to other parties or challenge internal party decisions more effectively.
The court further held that INEC cannot lawfully shorten statutory timelines for candidate substitution, publication of final candidate lists, or campaign periods, emphasizing that such actions must strictly align with the Electoral Act.
Political analysts also noted that the ruling may ease pressure on political parties by providing more flexibility in their internal processes, potentially improving preparations for the 2027 elections.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission has announced plans to appeal the decision, warning that the judgment could disrupt its election planning and logistics if not overturned or clarified.
In contrast, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) stated that the ruling will not affect its planned presidential primary election, insisting that its internal schedule remains unchanged.
Other political parties and civil society groups, including Yiaga Africa, called for further dialogue between stakeholders and INEC to ensure clarity on the next steps and maintain confidence in the electoral process.
