Court Voids INEC 2027 Timetable For Candidate Submissions

The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified an INEC directive requiring political parties to submit membership databases by May 10 to contest the 2027 general elections. Justice Mohammed Umar ruled on the suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, challenging various provisions in the electoral body's timetable, including party primaries, candidate submissions, and campaign timelines.

Filed by the Youth Party, the lawsuit contested multiple operational deadlines established by INEC for the upcoming 2027 election cycle. The court's decision halts the enforcement of these specific requirements, forcing a reassessment of the regulatory framework for party administration.

Following arguments from plaintiff counsel J.O. Olotu and defense attorney Sarafa Yusuf, Justice Umar ruled in favor of the Youth Party. This verdict sets a new legal precedent for how INEC regulates political parties ahead of the 2027 polls.

In a landmark ruling delivered on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the Federal High Court set aside the restrictive deadlines imposed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general elections. According to the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment obtained on Thursday, May 21, the court nullified INEC's revised timetable regarding primary elections, candidate submissions, candidate replacements, publication of final candidate lists, and campaign timelines. The court found these specific administrative schedules to be entirely inconsistent with the governing provisions of the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026.

Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the electoral umpire cannot legally override or shorten the statutory timelines explicitly mandated by national legislation. He emphasized that INEC lacks the administrative authority to alter or abridge windows of time that are already established by law. This decision establishes that the electoral body must operate strictly within the boundaries set by the legislature rather than creating independent, accelerated deadlines.

Specifically, the court declared that Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act allows political parties to submit the personal particulars of their candidates up to 120 days before the general election. Justice Umar clarified that INEC exceeded its powers by trying to enforce a shorter, compressed deadline within its controversial election timetable. Consequently, the electoral commission must now adjust its operational roadmap to align with the statutory 120-day benchmark.

The judge further held that the commission could not shorten the 90 days allowed under Section 31 of the Act for withdrawal and substitution of candidates.

The court also ruled that INEC does not possess the statutory authority to publish the final list of candidates earlier than the 60-day minimum period stipulated by law, holding that the commission lacked powers under Section 98 of the Electoral Act to impose such a timeline.

In another declaration, the court held that the timeframe prescribed by INEC for submission of membership registers for party primaries does not apply to primaries conducted to replace withdrawn candidates.

Consequently, the court set aside the affected portions of INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, describing them as inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

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

“A Declaration is made that, having regard 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-day 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 authority to fix in its timetable for the 2027 general elections for the campaign to end 2 days before the elections.

“A Declaration is made that, upon a 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,” the court held.

INEC had scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections are slated for February 6, 2027 .