The appellate court held that the Youth Party, which instituted the suit against INEC, failed to establish that it suffered any legal injury or adverse effect arising from the electoral guidelines.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a Federal High Court judgement that nullified key provisions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)'s electoral guidelines for the conduct of the 2027 general elections, holding that the political party which filed the suit lacked the legal standing to challenge the commission's directives.
In a unanimous judgement delivered on Thursday, the three-member appellate panel set aside the May 20, 2026 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, which had declared invalid portions of INEC's guidelines relating to political parties' primary elections and submission of candidates for the 2027 polls.
The appellate court held that the Youth Party, which instituted the suit against INEC, failed to establish that it suffered any legal injury or adverse effect arising from the electoral guidelines.
The lead judgement, prepared by Justice Adebukola Banjoko and read by Justice Okon Abang, held that the party lacked the requisite locus standi to maintain the action.
