The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a Federal High Court judgement that has nullified crucial aspects of its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections. This was confirmed by Wilfred Ifogah, INEC’s deputy director of voter education and publicity, in a recent interview. Ifogah stated that the commission will thoroughly study the judgement upon receiving the CTC before determining its subsequent course of action.

The Federal High Court in Abuja had ruled that INEC overstepped its statutory powers by imposing timelines inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. Justice M.G. Umar, presiding over a suit filed by the Youth Party against INEC, held that the electoral body lacked the authority to abridge timelines related to party primaries, the submission of candidates’ particulars, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, the publication of final lists of candidates, and campaign periods, all of which are explicitly provided for under the Electoral Act. Consequently, the court set aside these affected provisions within INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 general elections.

In response to the landmark judgement, various political parties and stakeholders have expressed their support, hailing it as a significant victory for constitutional democracy and internal party administration. Bolaji Abdullahi, the national publicity secretary for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), welcomed the ruling, asserting that it vindicates the party's prior stance against certain provisions within the electoral body’s guidelines. Abdullahi further noted that the judgement would enhance freedom of association and eliminate restrictions for politicians seeking to contest elections on diverse political platforms.

Similarly, the African Action Congress (AAC), through its national publicity secretary, Rex Elanu, issued a statement describing the judgement as a triumph for constitutional order and party independence. The AAC underscored that the court’s decision reaffirms the fundamental rights of political parties to independently define their internal processes without undue interference from INEC.