By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties against conducting primary elections outside its approved timetable, stressing that any such exercise remains invalid unless overturned by a higher court.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, issued the warning while addressing ongoing legal disputes surrounding the commission’s timetable for party primaries and candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Haruna, political parties must comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and existing INEC regulations while the commission’s appeal remains before the Court of Appeal.
“Any primary conducted outside INEC’s May 30 deadline will remain invalid unless the Court of Appeal overturns the Federal High Court judgment. Political parties are advised to be guided by the provisions of the Electoral Act and existing regulations,” he said.
The clarification comes amid growing debate over the legality of timelines contained in INEC’s electoral schedule for the 2027 elections.
Court Challenges INEC’s Timetable
The controversy followed a Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar in a suit filed by the Youth Party.
The court ruled that INEC lacked the authority to shorten timelines prescribed under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 regarding the submission of party membership registers and candidates’ particulars.
Justice Umar held that statutory timelines established by the Electoral Act cannot be abridged by administrative action, declaring parts of INEC’s timetable inconsistent with the law.
Following the judgment, INEC filed an appeal and sought a stay of execution, maintaining that its timetable was issued in line with its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
Before the court ruling, the commission had fixed April 23 to May 30, 2026, as the period for political parties to conduct their primaries ahead of the 2027 general election.
Another Court Affirms INEC’s Powers
In a separate case, a Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed INEC’s constitutional authority to issue and adjust election timetables.
Justice James Omotosho, while delivering judgment in a suit filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP), ruled that the electoral body has the power to determine election schedules and timelines.
The court, however, emphasized that such powers must be exercised within the limits set by the Electoral Act 2026.
ADC Orders Rerun Primaries in Kaduna
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Primary Election Appeals Committee in Kaduna State has ordered rerun primaries in several federal and state constituencies following complaints arising from the party’s recently concluded primary elections.
Chairman of the committee, Dr. Muhammed Fagge, disclosed that investigations revealed procedural irregularities, omission of aspirants from ballot papers, and insufficient evidence that voting occurred in some constituencies.
As a result, the committee declared several primaries inconclusive and directed fresh elections in affected areas, including the Ikara/Kubau Federal Constituency and Kaduna South Federal Constituency.
Focus Shifts to 2027 Election Preparations
The developments have introduced a new dimension to preparations for the 2027 general elections, as political parties closely monitor the outcome of ongoing legal proceedings involving INEC’s electoral timetable.
The final decision of the Court of Appeal is expected to provide clarity on the validity of the commission’s schedule and shape the conduct of party primaries ahead of Nigeria’s next general election.
