The Court of Appeal in Abuja set aside a Federal High Court judgment that nullified parts of the Independent National Electoral Commission guidelines for the 2027 general elections. Justices delivered the unanimous decision on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the initial judgment on May 20, 2026. He ruled in favor of the Youth Party, which challenged INEC’s directives.
The lower court nullified timelines for political parties to submit membership registers and conduct primaries. Justice Umar held that INEC exceeded its powers by imposing deadlines beyond those in the Electoral Act 2026.
The Youth Party argued that the guidelines conflicted with Section 29(1) and other provisions of the Act. It claimed the requirements hindered party operations.
The Independent National Electoral Commission filed an appeal on May 25, 2026, through its counsel, Dr. Alex Izinyon. INEC raised nine grounds. The commission argued that the Youth Party lacked locus standi.
It also stated that the suit was hypothetical and academic. INEC maintained that its revised timetable aligned with the Electoral Act and constituted subsidiary legislation with full legal force.
Justice Okon Abang read the lead judgment, prepared by Justice Adebukola Banjoko. The panel held that the Youth Party failed to show how the guidelines affected its primaries or candidate submissions.
Justice Abang stated that the law grants INEC powers to conduct elections. He added that courts should not interfere when INEC acts within its authority.
“The appeal has merit. It is hereby allowed. The judgment of the lower court is hereby set aside,” Justice Abang ruled. The justices agreed that the Federal High Court erred and caused a miscarriage of justice.
This decision restores INEC’s guidelines, including deadlines for membership registers and primaries. It allows the electoral body to proceed with preparations for the 2027 general elections without the previous constraints. Political parties must now comply with the validated timelines.
The ruling underscores the Appeal Court’s view on INEC’s administrative discretion under the Electoral Act. It resolves a key legal challenge that emerged shortly after the lower court’s decision.
