The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a Federal High Court judgment that nullified key aspects of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s guidelines for the 2027 general elections, restoring the commission’s electoral timetable and regulations.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, the appellate court ruled that the Youth Party, which instituted the original lawsuit, lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to challenge INEC’s electoral guidelines. The court held that the party failed to establish that it suffered any direct injury or adverse effect arising from the implementation of the commission’s directives.
The lead judgment, delivered by Justice Adebukola Banjoko and read by Justice Okon Abang, stated that the Youth Party did not provide sufficient evidence to show that the guidelines negatively affected its internal processes, including the conduct of party primaries or the submission of candidates’ details to INEC.
The appellate court also faulted the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, which was delivered on May 20, 2026. That decision had invalidated portions of INEC’s election timetable, including deadlines for party primaries, the submission of party membership registers, and candidate particulars, after finding them inconsistent with the Electoral Act.
INEC challenged the ruling at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the Federal High Court failed to properly consider its preliminary objections and denied the commission a fair hearing. The electoral body maintained that the judgment amounted to a miscarriage of justice and sought its reversal.
By setting aside the lower court’s decision, the Court of Appeal has reinstated INEC’s electoral guidelines and timetable, allowing preparations for the 2027 general elections to continue under the commission’s established framework.
The judgment is expected to provide greater legal certainty for political parties and other stakeholders as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
