2027: Why court voided INEC timetable for conduct of party primaries

Rules that INEC lacked statutory power to fix or prescribe timeframe within which parties must conduct their primaries

CUPP urges INEC to obey court order on 2027 timetable

Turaki-led PDP, Wike-led PDP, PRP react

The Federal High Court in Abuja has voided the 2027 election timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The judgment is likely going to significantly reshape political calculations ahead of the 2027 polls, following sustained concerns from political parties that INEC’s timetable was limiting their ability to properly organise their activities.

Justice Mohammed Umar, in a judgment delivered on a suit brought by Youth Party, held that INEC’s action imposed restrictive timeframes on political parties for the conduct of primaries and other pre-election activities contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Justice Umar held that INEC lacked the statutory power to fix or prescribe the timeframe within which political parties must conduct their primaries for the nomination of candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The plaintiff; Youth Party had, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, sued INEC as sole defendant.

The plaintiff, in the originating summons dated and filed March 11, sought six reliefs.

Justice Umar granted all the plaintiff’s six reliefs.

The judge declared that INEC cannot lawfully abridge or limit the statutory periods provided under the Electoral Act in relation to submission of personal particulars of candidates, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, among others.

Justice Umar, therefore, set aside the portions of INEC’s Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Elections which imposed timelines inconsistent with the Electoral Act, 2026.

“It is hereby ordered as follows:

“A declaration is hereby made that upon a proper consideration and interpretation of the provisions of Sections 29, 82 and 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, the powers of the defendant to receive notice of party primaries and the personal particulars of candidates, and its duty to attend, observe and monitor such primaries, does not extend to fixing or prescribing the timetable within which political parties may conduct their primary elections for the purpose of nominating candidates for the 2027 general elections.

“A declaration is made that having regards to Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 which requires political parties to submit the personal particulars of their candidates not later than 120 days to an election, the defendant cannot lawfully abridge or limit that statutory period by prescribing a shorter timeframe in its 2027 election timetable.

“A declaration is made that having regards to Section 31 of the Electoral Act, 2026 which permits political parties to withdraw and substitute candidates not later than 90 days to the conduct of an election, the defendant cannot lawfully abridge or limit that statutory period by fixing earlier deadline for the withdrawal and replacement of candidates in its 2027 election timetable.

“A declaration is made that having regards to Section 32 of the Electoral Act, 2026, the defendant 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.

“A declaration is made that upon a proper construction of Section 98 of the Electoral Act, 2026, the defendant does not possess the statutory power or authority to fix in its timetable for the 2027 general elections for campaign to end 2 days before the elections.

“A declaration is made that upon proper interpretation to Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2026, the time frame prescribed by the defendant for submission of membership registers for the conduct of primary elections is NOT applicable to primary elections conducted for the purpose of replacing withdrawn candidates.

“Order is hereby granted setting aside or nullifying the time-frames imposed by the defendant in its Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for 2027 General Election for the conduct of primary elections by political parties for the 2027 general elections,” the court held.

The court also ruled that the submission of personal particulars of candidates by their political parties for the 2027 general elections and campaigning for the 2027 general elections are inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has welcomed a Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adjust its election timetable.

Coalition of United Political Parties said the ruling would significantly reshape preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The position is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by Acting National Chairman, Chief Peter Ameh.

According to Ameh, Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja delivered a judgment strengthening political parties’ rights and internal democratic processes.

He said major political parties unanimously urged INEC to immediately comply with the court’s directives by revising its timetable.

Ameh stated that the judgment expanded democratic participation by granting political parties greater flexibility in handling internal electoral matters.

 “The court’s pronouncements have expanded the democratic space by granting political parties greater flexibility in their internal affairs,” he said.

He explained that the ruling permitted politicians who lost party primaries to defect and still be validly substituted as candidates by another party.

Ameh added that the court also nullified the controversial 21-day party register requirement previously imposed on political parties.

He further stated that the judgment exempted substitution primaries from strict Electoral Act timelines governing candidate replacement procedures.

According to him, the court affirmed that INEC could not dictate dates for internal party activities or arbitrarily shorten submission and publication windows.

Ameh stated: “We commend the Federal High Court for this progressive and constitution-aligned judgment.

 “INEC must immediately obey this ruling and adjust its timetable accordingly.”

He warned that any appeal against the judgment could generate uncertainty ahead of the 2027 elections and weaken public confidence in the electoral process.

 “Any decision to appeal this judgment will only create unnecessary uncertainty, erode public confidence, and undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections,” he said.

He disclosed that 14 political parties had agreed to announce extended primary election timetables to accommodate new defectors and ensure broader participation.

According to Ameh, the parties believed the judgment would strengthen internal democracy and safeguard the rights of aspirants and candidates.

He said the parties also called on INEC to work collaboratively with political organisations in implementing a revised and realistic electoral timetable.

The CUPP chairman stressed that political parties remained committed to free, fair and credible elections during the 2027 general elections.

 “Political parties remain committed to free, fair, and credible elections in 2027 and will continue to defend democratic principles through lawful means,” Ameh said.

Also, some political parties, on Thursday, welcomed the Federal High Court judgment nullifying parts of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s timetable for the 2027 general elections, describing the ruling as a major relief after months of complaints over the electoral body’s timelines.

In his reaction, spokesman of the PDP Interim National Working Committee led by Kabiru Turaki, SAN, Ini Ememobong said “there is a need to hurry slowly on critical democratic processes. I’m certain that all political parties are gladdened by the judgment. The judgment will help parties to better organise themselves”.

Speaking separately, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP National Working Committee, aligned with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Mohammed Haruna Jungudo, said the camp was still reviewing the court decision.

“I will revert back to you. We are studying the judgment now,” he stated.

Also reacting, National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Redemption Party, Muhammed Bello Ishaq, said the ruling appeared to restore powers political parties believed INEC had gradually taken over.

He said: “On the face of it, it promotes the growth and development of our democratic culture by restoring critical responsibilities to political parties, which INEC had usurped.

“It expands the scope for decision-making within parties and removes the unhealthy regimentation of our activities.”

He warned, however, that the ruling could trigger another legal battle if INEC decides to challenge the judgment.