A Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission to set timelines for political parties to conduct their primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The court, however, ruled that the electoral body cannot abridge statutory timelines specifically provided under the Electoral Act 2026 for submission and substitution of candidates.
The judgment was delivered by Justice J.K. Omotosho in a suit filed by the Social Democratic Party challenging aspects of INEC’s timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 elections.
A Certified True Copy of the judgment obtained by SaharaReporters showed that the document was dated May 26, 2026, indicating the day the certified copy was released.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/720/2026, the SDP had questioned whether INEC possessed the legal authority to prescribe timelines for party primaries and compel political parties to comply with them.
