A Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to fix and release timetable for the 2027 general elections, including schedules for party primaries.
The judgement was delivered on Tuesday by Justice James Omotosho, who dismissed a suit filed by the Social Democratic Party, SDP, challenging the electoral body’s authority to issue election timetable and guidelines ahead of the 2027 polls.
The court held that INEC acted within the powers granted to it by the Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2026, when it released the timetable for political parties and the conduct of the next general election.
The SDP had approached the court in April, arguing that INEC lacked the legal backing to prescribe dates and timelines for party primaries. The party raised five questions for determination and sought seven reliefs in its originating summons filed on April 9, 2026.
However, during proceedings, counsel to INEC, Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the suit. He argued that the case was statute-barred and maintained that the commission possesses constitutional authority to regulate the electoral process, including the release of election schedules.
Izinyon further told the court that several decisions of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal had already settled the issue in favour of INEC.
In his judgement delivered on May 26, Justice Omotosho agreed with the electoral commission and ruled that INEC has the legal powers to issue timetable and guidelines necessary for the smooth conduct of elections.
The judge rejected the SDP’s argument that only political parties could independently determine the timing of their primaries without interference from the electoral body.