Appeal Court Restores INEC’s 2027 Election Guidelines

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a Federal High Court judgment that nullified key parts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)'s guidelines for the 2027 general elections.

In a unanimous decision delivered on Thursday, the appellate court ruled that the Youth Party, which filed the lawsuit against the guidelines, lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to challenge them.

The lead judgment, prepared by Justice Adebukola Banjoko and read by Justice Okon Abang, held that the party failed to prove how the electoral guidelines adversely affected its primary election process or the submission of its candidates for the 2027 polls.

According to the court, the Youth Party did not establish any injury or violation of its rights that would justify instituting the case.

The three-member panel also faulted the earlier ruling by the Federal High Court, describing it as a miscarriage of justice. It held that the trial judge erred by invalidating parts of INEC's guidelines on the grounds that they conflicted with the Electoral Act.

The lower court had ruled in May that INEC could not compel political parties to conduct primaries within timelines fixed by the commission or require the early submission of membership registers and candidates' details beyond what the Electoral Act provides.

Dissatisfied with that judgment, INEC appealed, arguing that the Federal High Court failed to consider its preliminary objection that the suit was hypothetical and academic, thereby denying the commission a fair hearing.

The Court of Appeal upheld INEC's appeal, set aside the Federal High Court's judgment, and restored the validity of the commission's electoral guidelines for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share