Youth Party Disowns Court Case Against INEC, Says It Was Unauthorised

The national leadership of the Youth Party has disowned a lawsuit filed against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that the case was instituted without the approval of its recognised leadership structures.

In a public disclaimer issued on Wednesday and signed by Solomon Oyekunle, the party said the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, titled Youth Party vs INEC, as well as the judgment delivered on May 20, 2026 by Justice M. G. Umar, were not authorised by its National Working Committee (NWC) or any official organ of the party.

The party stated that the individuals behind the legal action acted independently and without a mandate from its leadership.

“We dissociate ourselves entirely from this suit, its proceedings, and the judgment arising therefrom,” the statement read.

The Youth Party reiterated its commitment to complying with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s electoral guidelines and timetable for the 2027 general elections, stressing that it would not resort to litigation against lawful electoral processes.

It added that despite tight timelines, the party would proceed with preparations for its National Convention scheduled for May 23, 2026, and its primaries fixed for May 29, 2026, rather than pursue judicial intervention.

The party further warned that any individual who initiated or pursued the case without authorisation would bear personal responsibility for their actions.

Meanwhile, Justice Mohammed Umar, in the judgment in the suit, restrained INEC from enforcing parts of its revised timetable for the 2027 elections, holding that several deadlines set by the commission were inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The court found that INEC exceeded its legal authority by imposing deadlines that encroached on timeframes guaranteed to political parties under the law.

Counsel in the matter were J. O. Olotu for the plaintiff and Sarafa Yusuf for INEC, while the court issued declarations clarifying INEC’s powers regarding party primaries, candidate submission, substitution, publication of final candidate lists, and campaign regulations.