Electoral Shake-up: Court Backs INEC Guidelines, El-Rufai Ally Dumps ADC
INEC is intensifying preparations for the 2027 general election, planning a mock presidential election and a technology audit, as the Court of Appeal reaffirms the commission's discretionary powers regarding electoral guidelines. Political parties have completed candidate uploads, while the PDP and ADC grapple with significant internal leadership and structural crises.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced significant plans to bolster its preparedness for the 2027 general election. These initiatives include conducting a mock presidential election and a thorough audit of its electoral technology systems. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), revealed these proposals during a meeting with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, at the commission's headquarters in Abuja. Amupitan stated that these considerations were prompted by concerns raised during the 2023 general election, specifically regarding the reliability of election technology. The British High Commissioner confirmed that the UK is closely monitoring INEC's preparations, including recent off-cycle elections and the upcoming Osun state governorship election.
In a related development, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal recently overturned a Federal High Court judgment that had nullified part of INEC's electoral guidelines for the upcoming polls. Justice Okon Abang, delivering the lead judgment, criticized the trial court for invalidating INEC's administrative discretion, emphasizing that "The law gives INEC powers to conduct elections in the country." He also noted an absence of evidence suggesting any party was prevented from conducting its primaries. The initial ruling by Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had invalidated INEC's directive for political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10 as a prerequisite for participating in the 2027 elections. This suit was filed by the Youth Party.
Furthermore, most political parties completed the uploading of their presidential and National Assembly candidates following an extension of the deadline from Saturday, July 11, to Tuesday, July 14, 2026. This extension was granted by INEC based on an appeal from the Inter-Party Advisory Council, representing parties that faced difficulties uploading candidate particulars within the initial timeframe. Parties that successfully submitted their candidates include the All Progressives Congress (APC), fielding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima; the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate and Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate; and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), which uploaded Peter Obi as its presidential candidate and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate. The portal for uploading governorship and state Assembly candidates was scheduled to open on July 18, 2026, and will close on August 8.
Meanwhile, the political landscape witnessed internal turmoil within major parties. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is grappling with a deepening leadership crisis after the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit seeking recognition for the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (INWC). Justice Salim Ibrahim upheld the defendants' preliminary objection, ruling that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction as the dispute concerned the PDP's internal leadership affairs. The suit, filed by prominent party members including Senator Adolphus Wabara and Babangida Aliyu, sought an order for INEC to recognize the Turaki-led INWC. Justice Ibrahim also ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to sue on behalf of the PDP and that the party itself had not authorized the action. The Turaki-led faction expressed disagreement with the judgment, citing inconsistencies with higher court decisions, and announced its intention to appeal.
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing its own crisis. Salihu Mohammed Lukman, a party chieftain, defected, citing the alleged hijack of party structures and hostile treatment by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Lukman stated that the internal strife has undermined the party's founding ideals and is eroding public confidence in the ADC as a credible opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. He warned that without restoring internal democracy, the ADC risks losing the trust of Nigerians seeking a viable alternative political platform.