BY MUYIWA OYINLOLA
Nigerian opposition parties have erupted in ecstasy following the court judgment nullifying the election timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the 2027 general elections.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, during the week, in a legal action brought by the Youth Party, YP, to compel the electoral body to comply with the Electoral Act 2026’s 120‑day pre‑election deadline for submitting party registers and candidates’ personal particulars, invalidated the timeline issued by Commission for the conduct of primaries and the nomination of candidates, ahead of the 2027 general election.
The court, in the judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar, also set aside the INEC’s May 10 deadline requiring political parties to submit a register and database of all their members as a condition for qualifying to participate in the general elections.
It held that the timeframe the electoral umpire announced for political parties to conduct their primaries and to submit, withdraw, or replace the names and particulars of their candidates for the general elections “is inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026″.
We’re Vindicated, Says ADC
Describing the judgment as cheering, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, said the development would strengthen freedom of association.
The party which gave the position in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, added that the judgment is a vindication of its earlier objections to some provisions of the electoral body’s guidelines.
The statement further stressed that the party had earlier raised concerns over what it described as restrictive timelines for party primaries and membership registration when the guidelines were introduced.
“The decision of the court on these issues, including those that directly contradict the Constitution, is therefore a welcome vindication of our position”, the statement read.
The party argued that the court ruling would strengthen freedom of association by removing restrictions placed on politicians seeking to contest elections on alternative political platforms.
“We believed at the time that that particular restriction was designed to prevent people from leaving the ruling party, APC.
“Now that the court has ruled against it, we are sure that, in the coming days, we will witness a mass exodus from the ruling party”, Abdullahi stated.
ADC said it welcomed the judgment and expressed optimism that the ruling would deepen democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
…Gbenga Hashim Commends Court for Upholding Rule Of Law
In his reaction, a former presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, described the judgement as a victory for the rule of law and constitutional order.
Hashim specifically praised Hon. Justice M. G. Umar for what he termed a courageous and principled decision that checked administrative overreach and reaffirmed the supremacy of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Hashim said he had consistently maintained that INEC must operate strictly within the confines of the law, revealing that he had earlier written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu warning against actions capable of undermining the Electoral Act.
“I have consistently argued that INEC must act within the confines of the Electoral Act. Unfortunately, those warnings were not heeded. This judgment has now vindicated that position,” he stated.
Hashim described the ruling as timely and necessary, saying it would protect the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process and strengthen democratic governance.
“I commend Justice M.G. Umar for his courage and fidelity to justice. This is a sound judgment that reinforces the supremacy of the law and restores confidence in our democratic institutions”, he added.
Hashim urged INEC to fully comply with the judgment and ensure that future electoral guidelines strictly conform with the provisions of the law.
…Ruling Is Victory For Democracy, Constitutionalism -Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies
In the same vein, another former presidential candidate and member of the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, commended Court judgment.
The presidential candidate of Mass Action Joint Alliance, MAJA, in the 2019 general elections, in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, described the ruling as a major victory for democracy, constitutionalism, internal party democracy, and the rule of law.
She stated that the judgment reaffirmed that no institution, including INEC, is above the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to her, the court’s decision has restored confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process by ensuring that electoral activities are guided by fairness and legality rather than arbitrary administrative directives.
“This courageous judgment by the Federal High Court has restored hope in Nigeria’s democratic process. The judiciary has once again demonstrated that democracy must be governed by law and fairness, not arbitrary directives. INEC must immediately obey the judgment and adjust its illegal timetable accordingly”, she said.
Prof. Adesanya-Davies noted that the ruling widened democratic participation by affirming the constitutional rights of political parties and aspirants. She added that the judgment strengthens party autonomy, protects political inclusion, and curbs administrative overreach capable of undermining credible elections.
She highlighted aspects of the ruling which affirmed that politicians who lose primary elections retain the constitutional right to defect to another political party and still participate lawfully in the electoral process.
The former presidential candidate also said the court held that INEC lacks unilateral authority to dictate internal party schedules outside constitutional provisions, while describing the controversial 21-day party register requirement as inconsistent with democratic freedoms.
She further maintained that substitution primaries and nomination processes should not be subjected to unrealistic and oppressive deadlines.
Adesanya-Davies warned that failure by INEC to fully comply with the judgment could lead to constitutional crises, political tension, and fresh litigation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
She called on political stakeholders, civil society groups, religious leaders, youth organisations, and the international community to support electoral reforms capable of guaranteeing free, fair, transparent, and inclusive elections in Nigeria.
“Nigeria’s democracy can only survive where justice prevails over impunity. Electoral integrity demands fairness to all political parties, regardless of size or influence. This judgment is not merely about timelines; it is about protecting democratic freedoms and preventing electoral manipulation”, she added.
…Judgment Will Restore
Key Powers To Political Parties –PRP
For the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, the ruling is a development that could strengthen internal democracy and restore key powers to political parties.
The party said the judgment appeared to return responsibilities it claimed had been taken over by the electoral commission and could broaden the decision-making space within political organisations.
In a statement Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Bello Ishaq, the PRP said it was carefully studying the implications of the judgment but viewed it as a positive step for Nigeria’s democratic culture.
“Our party is studying this judgment very carefully. On the face of it, it promotes the growth and development of our democratic culture by restoring critical responsibilities to political parties, which INEC had usurped”, the party stated.
According to the PRP, the ruling removes what it described as excessive restrictions on the activities of political parties and allows greater flexibility in managing internal affairs.
“It expands the scope for decision-making within parties and removes the unhealthy regimentation of our activities”, it added.
The party, however, acknowledged that challenges could arise following the judgment, including the possibility of an appeal by INEC.
It expressed hope that stakeholders would intervene to prevent any move capable of reversing the court’s decision.
“INEC may choose to appeal, although we hope that patriots and influential stakeholders will intervene to restrain such actions”, the statement said.
The PRP also argued that the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, could emerge as one of the major beneficiaries of the judgment, citing ongoing disputes and grievances arising from candidate selection processes within the party.
“The ruling party, APC, is likely to be a major beneficiary of this judgment, given its current desperate state in addressing the multiple grievances arising from its attempts to handpick candidates”, it said.
The party added that other political parties were also likely to examine how the judgment could be used to expand membership and improve the quality of candidates emerging on their platforms.
…CUPP Calls On INEC To Obey Court Judgment On Timetable
Meanwhile, the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, and other major political parties have called on the INEC to obey the judgment, as indication emerged that the Commission may go on appeal.
The electoral body, according to an impeccable source has
stated it is currently reviewing the court order and will take a position on it as soon as possible,
The source said:’’Of course, it is expected to appeal the order’’.
Acting National Chairman of CUPP, Peter Ameh, in a statement on Thursday, said the judgment delivered by Justice M.G. Umar has expanded “the democratic space by granting political parties greater flexibility in their internal affairs”.
He added that the judgment has reshaped the electoral process for the 2027 general elections.
The statement read in part, “In a unanimous position, the parties urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately comply with the court ruling by adjusting its revised timetable to align with the judgment.
“Key elements of the judgment include the right of politicians who lost primary elections to defect to another party and still be validly substituted as candidates, the nullification of the 21-day party register requirement, the exemption of substitution primaries from strict Electoral Act timelines, and the affirmation that INEC cannot dictate specific dates for internal party activities or unilaterally shorten submission and publication windows.
“We commend the Federal High Court for this progressive and constitution-aligned judgment”, said Chief Peter Ameh, Acting National Chairman of the CUPP. “INEC must immediately obey this ruling and adjust its timetable accordingly. Any decision to appeal this judgment will only create unnecessary uncertainty, erode public confidence, and undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections”.
Ameh further disclosed that 14 political parties have resolved to announce extended party election timetables to accommodate new decampees and ensure a more inclusive nomination process in line with the court’s decision.
The parties emphasized that the judgment strengthens internal democracy, promotes party autonomy, and protects the rights of aspirants and candidates.
They called on INEC to work collaboratively with political parties to implement a revised, realistic timetable that reflects the Federal High Court’s clear directives.
“Political parties remain committed to free, fair, and credible elections in 2027 and will continue to defend democratic principles through lawful means”, he added.
While the fireworks continue between the political parties and the INEC, analysts are of the opinion that the judgment has given the political class hope in the nation’s judiciary.
