A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lacks the constitutional and statutory powers to fix or prescribe the timetable for the conduct of party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026 between the Youth Party and INEC, Justice M.G. Umar held that INEC’s role under Sections 29, 82 and 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 is limited to receiving notices of party primaries, monitoring such primaries and receiving the personal particulars of candidates.
The court declared that the commission cannot impose timelines on political parties regarding when to conduct their primaries for the nomination of candidates.
The judgment further emphasized that political parties are only required by law to submit the names and particulars of their candidates to INEC not later than 120 days before the date fixed for the election.
The decision is expected to have significant implications for preparations towards the 2027 general elections and the relationship between political parties and the electoral commission regarding internal party processes.
