2027: Court Nullifies INEC Guidelines, Issues Fresh Order for NDC, ADC, Others 

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has ruled against the guidelines established by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that required political parties to submit a comprehensive register and database of their members by May 10 in order to qualify for the upcoming 2027 general elections.

The decision was made by Justice M.G. Umar on Thursday, following a lawsuit filed by the Youth Party. The court’s ruling emphasizes that INEC must adhere to the 120-day pre-election deadline stipulated by the Electoral Act 2026 for the submission of party registers.

“A Declaration is made that, having regard to Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 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 time frame in its 2027 elections,” stated the judgement.

All registered parties, according to Mr Umar, have until September to submit an updated list of all party members, nullifying the initial May 10 deadline.

The judgement gives politicians, who have lost primary elections in their respective parties, the leeway to defect to another political party to continue their ambitions.

The presidential and national assembly elections have been scheduled for January 16, 2027 while governorship and state Houses of assembly polls are set to hold on February 6, 2027.