INEC Heads to Appeal Court to Challenge Judgment Nullifying 2027 Election Guidelines
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking to overturn a Federal High Court judgment that nullified parts of its guidelines for the 2027 general elections.
The electoral body is also asking the appellate court for an order staying the execution of the judgment delivered on May 20, 2026, pending the determination of its appeal.
The case stems from a ruling by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which invalidated INEC’s directive requiring political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10 as a condition for participation in the 2027 elections.
The suit was filed by the Youth Party, which challenged the legality of the directive, arguing that it was inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
Delivering judgment, Justice Umar held that INEC did not have the legal authority to shorten or alter timelines already provided under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act regarding the submission of party membership records and candidates’ particulars.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, INEC, through its counsel, Alex Izinyon (SAN), filed a notice of appeal dated May 25, 2026, urging the Court of Appeal to set aside the decision of the lower court.
In the appeal, which contains nine grounds, the commission argued that the trial court failed to properly address key jurisdictional issues and that it was denied fair hearing.
INEC maintained that the suit filed by the Youth Party was hypothetical and academic in nature, and therefore should not have been entertained by the court.
The commission also challenged the trial court’s interpretation of Sections 29(1), 82, and 84 of the Electoral Act 2026, insisting that its guidelines were issued within the scope of its statutory powers.
INEC further faulted the decision of the lower court, arguing that the electoral timetable it issued was valid and in line with the Electoral Act.
It also asked the appellate court to strike out the suit, contending that the Youth Party lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to institute the action in the first place.
Justice Umar, however, had earlier ruled that INEC’s timetable for party primaries and candidate submissions ahead of the 2027 elections was inconsistent with the Electoral Act 2026.
The court specifically nullified the May 10 deadline imposed by INEC for the submission of party membership registers and databases, describing it as unlawful.
He held that political parties are only required to comply with timelines already clearly stated in the Electoral Act, and that INEC could not impose additional restrictions outside the law.
The appellate court is now expected to hear INEC’s request as the legal battle over election guidelines ahead of 2027 continues.
