INEC To Review Court Verdict On 2027 Election Timetable After Receiving Certified Judgement Copy

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will wait for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court judgement nullifying parts of its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections before deciding on its next course of action.

INEC’s Deputy Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, disclosed this in an interview with LEADERSHIP Weekend in Abuja yesterday.

According to him, the commission intends to carefully study the judgement once the CTC is received before taking any further steps.“We are waiting to receive the Certified True Copy of the judgement before we can study it and determine the appropriate step to take,” Ifogah said.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had earlier nullified portions of INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 elections, ruling that the commission exceeded its statutory powers by introducing timelines that conflict with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

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Delivering judgement in a suit filed by the Youth Party against INEC, Justice M.G. Umar held that the electoral body lacked the authority to shorten timelines relating to party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, publication of final candidates’ lists, and campaign periods as stipulated under the Electoral Act.

The court subsequently set aside the affected sections of INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 polls.

Meanwhile, political parties and stakeholders have welcomed the judgement, describing it as a boost for constitutional democracy and the independence of political parties.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the ruling as a vindication of the party’s earlier opposition to some aspects of INEC’s guidelines.

“The decision of the court on these issues, including those that directly contradict the Constitution, is therefore a welcome vindication of our position,” Abdullahi stated.

He added that the judgement would strengthen freedom of association and remove obstacles affecting politicians seeking to contest elections on alternative political platforms.

Similarly, the African Action Congress (AAC), in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Rex Elanu, hailed the ruling as a victory for constitutional order and party autonomy.

According to the party, the judgement reaffirmed the rights of political parties to independently manage their internal processes without undue interference from INEC.