The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja to overturn a Federal High Court judgment that nullified parts of its timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The commission also applied for a stay of execution of the judgment pending the hearing and determination of the appeal. In the notice of appeal dated May 25, INEC, through its legal team led by Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, listed nine grounds on which it is asking the appellate court to vacate the May 20 ruling delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The lower court had voided portions of INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 polls, ruling that the commission lacked the statutory power to fix or alter timelines for political party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, withdrawal and replacement of candidates, publication of final lists, and campaign periods. Justice Umar held that INEC’s directives were inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
INEC argued that the trial court erred in law by failing to determine a jurisdictional objection it raised and by proceeding to hear a suit it described as hypothetical and academic. The commission maintained that the Youth Party, which instituted the suit, lacked the locus standi to bring the action.
The commission further contended that enforcing the judgment would disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections and render its appeal nugatory. It urged the Court of Appeal to set aside the ruling and strike out the originating suit.
The case stems from a suit filed by the Youth Party challenging INEC’s revised timetable, which the party said imposed restrictive deadlines outside the limits set by the Electoral Act.
