The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal to overturn a Federal High Court judgment that nullified part of its guidelines for the 2027 general elections.
Read more: INEC Challenges Court Ruling, Requests Suspension of Judgment EnforcementIn its appeal, INEC also filed a motion requesting a stay of execution of the High Court’s May 20, 2026 judgment, pending the outcome of the appeal.
Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court had voided guidelines that required political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10, as a prerequisite for participating in the 2027 general elections. The decision came after the Youth Party challenged the legality of INEC’s directive.
The court ruled that INEC could not lawfully impose a shortened timeline for the submission of party membership records and candidates’ particulars, as set out in Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
However, in an appeal dated May 25, 2026, filed through its counsel, Alex Izinyon (SAN), INEC argued that the High Court erred in law, particularly for not addressing the issue of jurisdiction and for denying the commission a fair hearing. INEC is seeking to have the judgment set aside and execution stayed, raising nine grounds of appeal.
The commission maintains that, under the Electoral Act, political parties must submit candidates’ names from valid primaries no later than 120 days before the general election, and must notify INEC 21 days before holding primaries or conventions. INEC argues it is not empowered to impose additional deadlines beyond those stipulated by law.
INEC contends the trial court’s decision was against the weight of evidence and has asked the appellate court to allow the appeal, set aside the lower court’s judgment, and strike out the original suit on the grounds that the Youth Party lacks legal standing, describing the suit as academic.
Justice Umar’s ruling had invalidated INEC’s May 10 deadline for parties to submit their membership registers and databases, holding that such requirements were inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
