Appeal Court Upholds INEC Guidelines, Restores 2027 General Election Timetable
Appeal Court Upholds INEC Guidelines, Restores 2027 General Election Timetable
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines for the conduct of the 2027 general elections, restoring the electoral body’s timetable and schedule of activities after setting aside an earlier Federal High Court judgment.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel on Thursday, the appellate court ruled in favour of INEC, holding that the commission acted within its constitutional and statutory powers in issuing guidelines and timelines for political parties and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The court consequently nullified the May 20, 2026 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had invalidated key provisions of INEC’s election timetable and barred its implementation following a suit filed by the Youth Party.
In the lead judgment, prepared by Justice Adebukola Banjoko and read by Justice Okon Abang, the Court of Appeal held that the Youth Party lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to institute the suit challenging the commission’s guidelines. The appellate court therefore declared the earlier judgment unsustainable and set it aside.
The ruling restores certainty to preparations for the 2027 elections, allowing INEC to continue implementing its timetable for party primaries, submission of candidates, campaigns and other pre-election activities in line with its constitutional mandate.
The judgment is expected to provide clarity for political parties and stakeholders, following months of legal uncertainty over the validity of the electoral commission’s timetable and guidelines.
The legal dispute began after the Federal High Court ruled that certain provisions of INEC’s timetable were inconsistent with the Electoral Act, prompting the electoral commission to file an appeal to protect its election schedule and prevent disruptions to preparations for the 2027 polls.
With the latest decision of the Court of Appeal, INEC can now proceed with its approved timetable and guidelines as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
