INEC Challenges Court Ruling Nullifying Party Primaries, Nomination Deadlines

…Electoral Body Moves to Restore 2027 Election Timetable After Court Verdict

By Franklin Adole
The Independent National Electoral Commission has appealed the Federal High Court judgment nullifying its timelines for political party primaries and candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC on Monday filed a notice of appeal alongside a motion for stay of execution, seeking to overturn last week’s ruling delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The judge had held that the electoral commission lacked the legal authority to prescribe timelines within which political parties must conduct primaries for the nomination of candidates.

Justice Umar ruled that powers granted to INEC under Sections 29, 82 and 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 did not extend to fixing dates for party primaries.

The decision followed a suit filed by the Youth Party in March, challenging the legality of the commission’s revised electoral timetable.

Under the disputed schedule, political parties were expected to submit membership registers by May 10, complete primaries for candidate selection, and process withdrawals and replacements before the end of May.

In its appeal, INEC raised nine grounds against the judgment.

Through its counsel, Alex Izinyon, SAN, the commission argued that the lower court failed to address its objection that the suit was hypothetical and academic in nature.

INEC further contended that the trial court adopted an unduly narrow interpretation of Sections 29(1), 82, and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The commission also argued that the court erred in law by failing to apply the provisions of Section 151 of the Electoral Act in reaching its decision.

The appeal marks the latest legal battle over preparations for the 2027 elections, with the commission seeking judicial clarification on the scope of its powers to regulate the electoral process.