The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reinstated the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election, setting aside an earlier Federal High Court judgment that invalidated key provisions of the electoral calendar.
In a unanimous decision delivered on Thursday by a three-member panel, the appellate court held that INEC acted within the scope of its constitutional and statutory powers in issuing timelines to guide political parties and other stakeholders in the build-up to the 2027 polls.
The ruling overturned the May 20 judgment of the Federal High Court, which had nullified portions of the commission’s timetable following a suit filed by the Youth Party.
The lower court had ruled that INEC exceeded its legal authority by fixing timelines for party primaries and other pre-election activities.
However, the Court of Appeal disagreed with that position, affirming that the electoral umpire has the legal mandate to regulate and coordinate the electoral process through the issuance of schedules and timelines necessary for the orderly conduct of elections.
The judgment effectively removes the uncertainty that had surrounded preparations for the 2027 general election after the High Court’s decision cast doubt on the validity of INEC’s electoral timetable.
Following the appellate court’s verdict, political parties are expected to continue their preparations in line with the restored schedule, including the conduct of party primaries, submission of candidates and other pre-election activities.
The decision also represents a significant legal victory for INEC, which had argued that any disruption to its timetable could undermine planning, compliance and the smooth conduct of the electoral process.
Unless challenged and overturned by the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal’s ruling restores the legal backing for INEC’s 2027 election timetable, allowing the commission to proceed with its preparations for the forthcoming general election.
