The Inter-Party Advisory Council on Friday hailed a Federal High Court judgment which voided key portions of the 2027 election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, describing it as a victory for constitutional order and democracy.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had on Wednesday ruled that INEC exceeded its legal powers by shortening timelines provided under the Electoral Act, 2026, in its revised election schedule.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, was filed by the Youth Party, which challenged aspects of INEC’s timetable covering party primaries, nomination of candidates, withdrawals and replacements, publication of final candidates’ lists and campaign periods.
Delivering judgment, Justice M. G. Umar held that INEC could not lawfully abridge statutory timelines set out in the Electoral Act.
Reacting in a statement issued in Abuja, IPAC National Publicity Secretary Egbeola Martins said the judgment reaffirmed the supremacy of the Constitution and the Electoral Act over administrative guidelines.
Martins described the ruling as a “major victory for democracy and the rule of law,” adding that INEC’s guidelines cannot override statutory provisions.
He said: “The judgment is a clear reaffirmation of constitutional supremacy and the rule of law. It is an aberration for INEC to attempt to rewrite the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through administrative guidelines.
