KEY POINTS

• The Federal High Court nullified INEC’s May 10 deadline for submission of party membership registers ahead of the 2027 elections.
• Justice M.G. Umar ruled that INEC cannot shorten the 120-day timeline provided in the Electoral Act 2026.
• Political parties now have until September 2026 to submit required documents, potentially reshaping pre-election political dynamics.

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has nullified a directive issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, requiring political parties to submit their membership registers and candidate databases by May 10, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a judgement delivered on Thursday, Justice M.G. Umar ruled that INEC acted beyond its legal powers by imposing a deadline shorter than what is provided under the Electoral Act 2026.

The case was filed by the Youth Party, which challenged INEC’s guidelines and asked the court to enforce compliance with the statutory timelines set by law.

Delivering the judgement, Justice Umar held that Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 clearly requires political parties to submit details of their candidates not later than 120 days before an election.

The court ruled that INEC could not lawfully shorten or override this statutory timeline by issuing administrative guidelines that imposed an earlier deadline.

The judgement stated that any attempt by the electoral commission to reduce the legally established timeframe was inconsistent with the provisions of the law and therefore invalid.

Political Parties Given Until September 2026

With the ruling, the court effectively nullified INEC’s earlier May 10 deadline and extended the timeline for compliance.

Political parties are now permitted to submit their membership registers and related documentation up to September 2026, in line with the statutory framework of the Electoral Act.

The decision is expected to significantly influence preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections, including internal party arrangements and candidate selection processes.

The ruling is also expected to reshape political calculations across Nigeria, as it provides additional time for politicians who lost party primaries to reconsider their options.

Observers say the extended deadline could lead to increased political defections as aspirants explore opportunities in other parties before final candidate submissions close.

The court’s decision may therefore intensify political realignments ahead of what is expected to be a highly competitive 2027 election cycle.

INEC had initially fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.

The commission had earlier extended its deadline from April 21 to May 10, 2026, following consultations with political parties held on March 24, 2026.

INEC maintained that the adjustment was necessary to align with its timetable for party primaries, which were scheduled between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

The electoral body also stated that all submitted registers would undergo verification in accordance with electoral laws and procedures.

The court’s decision reinforces the principle that electoral bodies must operate strictly within the limits of enabling laws and cannot unilaterally alter statutory provisions.

Justice Umar emphasised that legal timelines provided under the Electoral Act must be respected by all stakeholders, including regulatory agencies such as INEC.

The ruling is expected to guide future electoral processes and clarify the limits of administrative discretion in Nigeria’s electoral framework.