The Court of Appeal in Abuja has restored the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) timetable for the 2027 general elections after setting aside a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the electoral body’s timelines.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, a three-member panel of the appellate court allowed INEC’s appeal and overturned the May 20 decision of the Federal High Court, holding that the commission acted within the powers granted to it by law.
The appellate court ruled that the lower court failed to follow binding judicial precedents and held that INEC’s Revised Timetable for the 2027 general elections constitutes subsidiary legislation under the Electoral Act, 2026, with the same force of law as the Act itself.
Appeal Court validates INEC’s powers
According to the court, every deadline contained in the revised timetable falls within the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, and was lawfully issued by the electoral commission.
The judgment effectively restores all deadlines earlier announced by INEC for political parties and other stakeholders participating in the 2027 general elections.
The appellate court further held that the commission acted within its statutory powers in issuing the timetable and related guidelines.
INEC challenged High Court decision
INEC had filed its notice of appeal on May 25, urging the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court.
The electoral body raised nine grounds of appeal, arguing that the trial court failed to determine a crucial jurisdictional issue before delivering its judgment.
The commission also maintained that the suit instituted by the Youth Party (YP) was hypothetical and academic, insisting that the party lacked the legal basis to challenge its timetable.
INEC further argued that the lower court’s failure to pronounce on those issues amounted to a denial of its right to fair hearing.
Dispute centred on election timetable
The legal battle stemmed from the Federal High Court’s decision to invalidate portions of INEC’s timetable relating to the conduct of party primaries and other pre-election activities for the 2027 polls.
The lower court had ruled that the commission lacked the authority to impose timelines that, in its view, were inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The judgment also questioned INEC’s powers to prescribe certain deadlines for political parties ahead of the general elections.
The ruling prompted the electoral commission to approach the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision.
Decision brings clarity for political parties
With the appellate court restoring the timetable, political parties are now expected to comply with all deadlines earlier released by INEC for the conduct of primaries, nomination of candidates and other electoral activities.
The judgment provides legal certainty for the electoral process and enables the commission to continue preparations for the 2027 general elections without disruption.
The decision is expected to guide political parties and other stakeholders as activities leading to the next general elections gather momentum.