By Taiye Agbaje
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja which nullified the commission’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
INEC also filed a motion seeking a stay of execution of the judgment pending the hearing and determination of its appeal before the Court of Appeal.
The appeal, dated May 25 and filed through the commission’s counsel, Mr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), challenged the decision delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar on May 20 in a suit instituted by the Youth Party (YP).
Justice Umar had voided the revised 2027 election timetable issued by INEC, holding that the commission lacked the statutory authority to prescribe timelines within which political parties must conduct their primaries and other pre-election activities.
The court ruled that the electoral body’s timetable imposed restrictive deadlines on political parties contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Dissatisfied with the judgment, INEC approached the appellate court, arguing that the trial court erred in law and failed to properly interpret relevant sections of the Electoral Act.
The commission raised nine grounds of appeal, contending that the trial judge failed to address key jurisdictional issues, including whether the suit filed by the Youth Party was hypothetical and academic in nature.
INEC argued that the omission amounted to a denial of fair hearing.
According to the electoral body, the trial court adopted an excessively narrow interpretation of Sections 29(1), 82 and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The commission further argued that Justice Umar failed to apply the provisions of Section 151 of the Electoral Act to the case before him.
In the appeal, INEC urged the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court and strike out the suit filed by the Youth Party.
The commission maintained that the party lacked the legal standing to institute and maintain the action.
In a related motion filed before the Federal High Court, INEC also sought an order staying the execution or further execution of the judgment pending the outcome of the appeal process.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the electoral umpire argued that granting the stay was necessary to preserve the subject matter of the dispute and avoid disruptions to preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The case has generated significant attention within political and legal circles as stakeholders closely monitor the implications of the court’s ruling on the electoral timetable and preparations for the next general election.
