Author: Gist Correspondent

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified several timelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.

In a judgment delivered on May 20, 2026, by Justice M. G. Umar in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, filed by the Youth Party against INEC, the court ruled that the electoral body exceeded its statutory powers in prescribing certain timelines for political parties ahead of the 2027 polls.

The court held that while INEC has the authority to receive notices of party primaries and monitor the process, it does not possess the legal power to fix or prescribe the timetable within which political parties must conduct their primaries for the purpose of nominating candidates.

Justice Umar further declared that INEC cannot abridge or shorten the statutory periods provided under the Electoral Act, 2026, for political parties to submit the personal particulars of candidates, withdraw candidates, or replace candidates ahead of elections.

According to the judgment, the commission also lacks the statutory authority to publish the final list of candidates for the 2027 elections earlier than 60 days before the election date, as stipulated by law.

The court additionally ruled that INEC cannot lawfully fix campaign activities to end two days before the elections.

The court also issued an order setting aside and nullifying the timelines imposed by INEC in its Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 general elections.

The nullified timelines relate to:

1. The conduct of party primaries,

2. Submission of candidates’ personal particulars,

3. Withdrawal and replacement of candidates,

4. Publication of final list of candidates, and

5. Campaign activities for the 2027 elections.

The judgment followed arguments by counsel to the Youth Party, J.O. Olotu, and counsel representing INEC, Sarafa Yusuf.