INEC Awaits Copy Of Court Judgement On 2027 Timetable

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court judgement nullifying key aspects of its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections before taking any decision on the matter.

INEC’s deputy director of voter education and publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, disclosed this in an interview with LEADERSHIP Weekend in Abuja yesterday.

According to him, the commission would study the judgement after receiving the CTC before determining its next line of action.

“We are waiting to receive the Certified True Copy of the judgement before we can study it and determine the appropriate step to take,” Ifogah said.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had nullified portions of INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 general elections, ruling that the commission exceeded its statutory powers by imposing timelines inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

Justice M.G. Umar, in the judgement delivered in a suit filed by the Youth Party against INEC, held that the electoral body could not lawfully abridge timelines relating to party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, publication of final candidates’ lists and campaign periods as provided under the Electoral Act.

The court consequently set aside the affected provisions in INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, some political parties and stakeholders have reacted to the judgement, describing it as a victory for constitutional democracy and internal party administration.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), through its national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, welcomed the ruling, describing it as a vindication of the party’s earlier position against some provisions of the electoral body’s guidelines.

“The decision of the court on these issues, including those that directly contradict the Constitution, is therefore a welcome vindication of our position,” Abdullahi stated.

He added that the judgement would strengthen freedom of association and remove restrictions affecting politicians seeking to contest elections on alternative political platforms.

Similarly, the African Action Congress (AAC), in a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Rex Elanu, described the judgement as a victory for constitutional order and party independence.

The party said the ruling reaffirmed the rights of political parties to independently determine their internal processes without undue interference from INEC.