The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has hailed a Federal High Court judgment nullifying parts of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) revised 2026 election timetable, describing the ruling as a major victory for democracy and constitutional order in Nigeria.
Justice M.G. Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, had on Wednesday, ruled that INEC exceeded its legal authority by shortening timelines stipulated in the Electoral Act, 2026, through its revised election schedule.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, was instituted by the Youth Party, which challenged aspects of INEC’s timetable relating to party primaries, candidate nominations, withdrawals and replacements, publication of final candidates’ lists and campaign periods.
In the judgment, the court held that INEC lacked the powers to abridge statutory timelines already provided by law, stressing that administrative guidelines cannot supersede provisions of the Electoral Act.
Reacting to the verdict, IPAC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Egbeola Martins, said the court had reaffirmed the supremacy of the constitution and extant electoral laws over what it described as arbitrary administrative actions by the electoral commission.
Martins said the ruling exposed what he termed an “aberration” by INEC in attempting to alter constitutional provisions through guidelines.
“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 Nigeria through administrative guidelines,” Martins said.
“INEC guidelines can never be superior to the constitution or the provisions of extant laws governing the electoral process.
Read also:
- ENSIEC issues revised timetable for 2026 LGl elections, fixes elections for Sept. 26
- INEC confirms submission of membership registers by 22 political parties ahead of 2027 elections
- APC revised timetable for 2027 elections sparks mixed reactions online
“While no one is questioning the powers of the commission to issue guidelines for the conduct of elections, such guidelines must operate strictly within the confines of the law.”
He added that the judgment would protect political parties and aspirants from exclusionary measures capable of undermining participation in the electoral process.
According to him, the ruling represents “a major victory for democracy, the rule of law, political parties and indeed all citizens of Nigeria.”
IPAC also urged the INEC chairman to strengthen consultations with political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that political parties remain critical stakeholders in the democratic process.
