By Joy Yesufu and Kamsi Anayo
The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has nullified the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) directive requiring political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10 as a condition for participation in the 2027 general elections.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice M.G. Umar held that the electoral umpire lacked the legal authority to shorten the timeline already provided under the Electoral Act 2022 for the submission of party documents and candidates’ particulars.
The suit was instituted by the Youth Party, which challenged INEC’s guidelines on the grounds that they were inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
In the judgment, the court declared that Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act clearly stipulates that political parties are required to submit the personal particulars of their candidates not later than 120 days before the election.
“A declaration is made that having regard to Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which requires political parties to submit the personal particulars of their candidates not later than 120 days to an election, the defendant cannot lawfully abridge or limit that statutory period by prescribing a shorter timeframe in its guidelines for the 2027 elections,” Justice Umar ruled.
The judgment effectively invalidates INEC’s May 10 deadline and grants registered political parties until September 2026 to submit updated membership registers and related documentation.
Political analysts say the ruling could reshape political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections, as it provides room for politicians dissatisfied with the outcomes of party primaries to defect to other parties and still pursue their political ambitions within the legally permissible timeframe.
INEC has already fixed the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
