The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed against a federal high court judgment that nullified parts of its guidelines for the conduct of the 2027 general elections, escalating a legal dispute over the timetable for party primaries and submission of membership records.
INEC filed a notice of appeal before the Abuja division of the court of appeal, seeking to overturn the judgment delivered on 20 May by Justice Muhammed Umar of the federal high court.
The ruling followed a suit brought by the Youth Party challenging INEC’s directive requiring political parties to submit membership registers and databases by 10 May as a condition for participation in the 2027 polls.
In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, the court held that the commission could not lawfully abridge the timeline already provided under section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 for the submission of party membership records and candidates’ particulars.
But INEC, in its appeal dated 25 May, argued that the lower court erred in nullifying portions of its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the elections.
According to the notice of appeal, the commission said it was “dissatisfied with the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court” and asked the appellate court to set aside the ruling on nine grounds.
The electoral body argued that the trial court failed to fully determine issues raised in its preliminary objection, particularly whether the suit was hypothetical or academic, which it claimed amounted to a denial of fair hearing.
INEC also challenged the finding that the Youth Party had the legal standing to institute the case, insisting that the party had failed to demonstrate sufficient personal injury or legal interest.
The commission further defended its timetable, arguing that the Electoral Act did not prohibit earlier submission of candidates’ details provided the statutory deadline of 120 days before the election was not breached.
It maintained that its timetable was consistent with sections 29(1), 82 and 84(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 and constituted a lawful exercise of powers granted under section 151 of the Act, which empowers the commission to issue regulations and guidelines for election administration.
INEC accused the trial judge of failing to follow binding judicial precedents from the supreme court and court of appeal, arguing that the doctrine of stare decisis required adherence to those earlier authorities.
In addition to the appeal, the commission filed a motion seeking a stay of execution of the judgment pending determination of the appeal.
The commission warned that immediate enforcement of the ruling could significantly disrupt preparations for the 2027 elections.
“If the judgment … is enforced or executed before the hearing and determination of the appeal, the entire electoral architecture and preparations for the 2027 general elections will be thrown into confusion,” INEC argued in its application.
The legal challenge represents the latest dispute over the interpretation of Nigeria’s Electoral Act ahead of what is expected to be a closely watched 2027 electoral cycle.
