A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that INEC overstepped its authority. Justice Mohammed Umar said the electoral commission couldn't impose strict timelines on political parties for primary elections.
Justice Umar determined that INEC lacked the legal power to set deadlines for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections. His ruling contradicted provisions in the Electoral Act, 2026.
Youth Party brought the case against INEC in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026. INEC was the sole defendant in the matter.
Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesman for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), welcomed the court's decision. He told reporters the judgment vindicated his party's earlier criticisms of INEC's guidelines.
According to Abdullahi, the ADC had specifically opposed INEC's timelines for membership registration and primary conduct. The party had raised these objections when the guidelines were first released.
"The decision of the Court on these issues is therefore a welcome vindication of our position," the ADC statement read. It added that the ruling addressed matters that "directly contradict the Constitution."
The ADC argued the judgment removes restrictions that prevented politicians from switching parties. This, the party said, strengthens freedom of association nationwide.
In his words, Abdullahi noted that INEC's restrictions were designed to keep members in the ruling APC. "We believed at the time that that particular restriction was designed to prevent people from leaving the ruling party, APC," he said.
Now that the court has struck down those restrictions, the ADC expects significant movement. "We are sure that, in the coming days, we will witness a mass exodus from the ruling party," Abdullahi predicted.
His remarks suggest major political realignments could happen before the 2027 elections. Multiple politicians may now explore alternative platforms to contest.
