July 17, 2026 | Abuja
The Court of Appeal has restored the 2027 election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, setting aside a Federal High Court judgment that had earlier nullified parts of it.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, the appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to interfere with INEC’s constitutional powers to organize, undertake and supervise elections in Nigeria.
The panel ruled that INEC acted within its mandate under the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 when it released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections. It said political parties and other interested parties seeking to challenge the timetable must do so through the proper legal channels and at the appropriate time.
INEC had in 2025 published timelines for party primaries, campaigns, and the conduct of presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections slated for 2027. A group of political actors later approached the Federal High Court, arguing that some timelines were too short and violated internal democracy provisions.
The Federal High Court in an earlier ruling nullified aspects of the timetable. INEC appealed the decision, describing it as an encroachment on its independence.
With the Appeal Court’s decision, the commission said it will proceed with preparations for the 2027 polls in line with the restored timetable. The chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission remains committed to credible, transparent and timely elections.
Political parties have been urged to align their activities with the reinstated schedule, which includes party congresses and primaries beginning in the second quarter of 2026.
Legal analysts said the judgment reinforces INEC’s autonomy and limits judicial interference in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
