22.5.2026
Twenty-four hours after a Federal High Court tossed aside the 2027 election timetable, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said it would evaluate the court order and then make its next move known.
On Thursday the FHC sitting in Abuja ordered that the INEC needs to revise its schedule for the party primaries, candidate nominations and related pre-election activities. The Youth Party had filed the motion challenging the commission’s authority to impose timelines for party primaries and candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 general election.
“We have not received the judgment, and we cannot comment on it. Yes, the judgment is in the public domain, and we don’t know the reasons for the decision that was taken,” said INEC’s director of voter education and publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi.
“So, there’s need to study the whole judgment and decide on the next step to take.”
In its revised timetable, INEC had directed political parties to submit membership registers by May 10, complete their primaries, and conclude candidate withdrawal and replacement processes before the end of May.
However, Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the commission lacked the statutory power to shorten or alter timelines expressly provided under the Electoral Act 2026.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) House of Representatives caucus has urged the INEC to obey the court order.
The opposition lawmakers, in a statement issued on Friday and signed by their leader, Hon. Afam Ogene, described the ruling as a victory for inclusive democracy and freedom of association.
“We agree with the declarations of the court that, having regards to Section 32 of the Electoral Act, 2026, INEC does not possess the statutory power to publish the final list of candidates for the 2027 general election before the 60 days minimum period prescribed by law,” said the caucus in a statement.
