The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and other major political parties have welcomed the landmark judgment of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice M.G. Umar on Thursday, stating that INEC has no powers to abridge the timelines expressly provided under the 2026 Electoral Act .
In a unanimous position, the parties urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately comply with the court ruling by adjusting its revised timetable to align with the judgment.
The parties noted that the court’s pronouncements have expanded the democratic space by granting political parties greater flexibility in their internal affairs.
Key elements of the judgment include the right of politicians who lost primary elections to defect to another party and still be validly substituted as candidates, the nullification of the 21-day party register requirement, the exemption of substitution primaries from strict Electoral Act timelines, and the affirmation that INEC cannot dictate specific dates for internal party activities or unilaterally shorten submission and publication windows.
Acting National Chairman of the CUPP,Peter Ameh said “We commend the Federal High Court for this progressive and constitution-aligned judgment.”
Ameh stated “INEC must immediately obey this ruling and adjust its timetable accordingly, adding “Any decision to appeal this judgment will only create unnecessary uncertainty, erode public confidence, and undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.”
The former National Chairman of IPAC, further disclosed that 14 political parties have resolved to announce extended party election timetables to accommodate new decampees and ensure a more inclusive nomination process in line with the court’s decision.
He stressed that the parties emphasized that the judgment strengthens internal democracy, promotes party autonomy, and protects the rights of aspirants and candidates.
CUPP therefore called on INEC to work collaboratively with political parties to implement a revised, realistic timetable that reflects the Federal High Court’s clear directives, stressing that political parties remain committed to free, fair, and credible elections in 2027 and will continue to defend democratic principles through lawful means.
It should be recalled that a Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified key provisions in the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC)Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, ruling that the electoral umpire lacks the powers to abridge timelines expressly provided under the 2026 Electoral Act.
Justice M.G. Umar in judgement delivered yesterday but a certified true copy sighted today, the court held that INEC cannot lawfully impose deadlines or timelines that are inconsistent with statutory provisions governing party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, publication of final candidates’ list and campaign periods.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, was instituted by the Youth Party ( YP) against the Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC), reports The Guardian.
The plaintiff had challenged several aspects of INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 elections, arguing that the commission exceeded its statutory powers by fixing timelines that effectively shortened periods guaranteed under the Electoral Act.
Justice Umar, in the judgment, agreed with the plaintiff and granted all the declaratory reliefs sought.
The court specifically declared that under Sections 29, 82 and 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, INEC’s powers to receive notices of party primaries and monitor such exercises do not extend to fixing or prescribing the period within which political parties must conduct their primaries for the 2027 elections.
The judge further held that INEC cannot lawfully shorten the statutory 120-day period provided under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act for political parties to submit personal particulars of their candidates before an election.
The court also held that the Commission lacks powers to abridge the 90-day window allowed under Section 31 of the Act for withdrawal and substitution of candidates.
Justice Umar equally declared that INEC cannot publish the final list of candidates earlier than the 60-day minimum period stipulated by law.
On political campaigns, the court held that INEC has no statutory authority under Section 98 of the Electoral Act, 2026, to direct that campaigns must end two days before election day.
The court also held that the timeframe prescribed by INEC for submission of membership registers for party primaries does not apply in situations involving the replacement of withdrawn candidates.
Consequently, the court set aside and nullified the timelines imposed by INEC in its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections on grounds that they were inconsistent with the Electoral Act, 2026.
The orders affected timelines relating to conduct of party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, publication of final candidates’ lists and campaign activities.