The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, May 22, 2026, said it would review the court judgement that voided its timetable for the 2027 general elections before taking further action.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, May 21, 2026, nullified some of the key provisions in INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
Thew Court presided over by Justice M.G. Umar, held that INEC lacked the powers to abridge timelines expressly provided under the 2026 Electoral Act.
Justice Umar also held that INEC cannot lawfully impose deadlines or timelines that are inconsistent with statutory provisions governing party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, publication of final candidates’ list and campaign periods.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, which was instituted by the Youth Party (YP) against INEC, the plaintiff challenged several aspects of INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 elections.
The plaintiff told the court that INEC exceeded its statutory powers by fixing timelines that effectively shortened periods guaranteed under the 2026 Electoral Act.
While delivering his judgement, Justice Umar agreed with the plaintiff and granted all the declaratory reliefs sought.
Justice Umar specifically declared that under Sections 29, 82 and 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, INEC’s powers to receive notices of party primaries and monitor such exercises do not extend to fixing or prescribing the period within which political parties must conduct their primaries for the 2027 elections.
However, in its reaction to the court verdict, INEC through its Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi said that the commission would review the court ruling before taking any decision.
Eta-Messi said; “We have not received the judgement, and we cannot comment on it. Yes, the judgement is in the public domain, and we don’t know the reasons for the decision that was taken. So, there is need to study the entire judgement before we can decide on the next step to take”.
