The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday restored the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, overturning a Federal High Court judgment that had invalidated key aspects of the electoral calendar.
In a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court upheld INEC’s appeal, ruling that the electoral body acted within the bounds of the law in issuing timelines to guide political parties and other stakeholders in preparations for the 2027 polls.
The judgment set aside the May 20 ruling of the Federal High Court, which had declared portions of the commission’s timetable unlawful after a suit filed by the Youth Party. The lower court had held that INEC exceeded its statutory powers by prescribing timelines for party primaries and other pre-election activities.
However, the Court of Appeal disagreed with the lower court, holding that INEC has both the constitutional and statutory mandate to regulate and coordinate the electoral process, including issuing schedules and timelines necessary for the orderly conduct of elections.
The ruling removes the uncertainty that had surrounded preparations for the 2027 general elections following conflicting court decisions over the validity of the commission’s electoral calendar.
With the appellate court’s verdict, political parties are now expected to comply with the restored timetable as they prepare for party primaries, candidate nominations and other pre-election activities ahead of the next general elections.
The judgment also marks a major legal victory for INEC, which had argued that altering or suspending its timetable would disrupt critical election preparations and undermine the smooth conduct of the 2027 polls.
The commission maintained throughout the proceedings that clearly defined timelines remain essential for effective planning, coordination and compliance by political parties and other electoral stakeholders.
Unless the matter is further appealed to the Supreme Court, Thursday’s judgment restores the legal backing for INEC’s 2027 election timetable, allowing the commission to proceed with the implementation of its electoral schedule without the restrictions imposed by the earlier Federal High Court ruling.
