A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has affirmed the constitutional powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue guidelines and timetable for the conduct of elections in Nigeria.
The judgement, delivered by Justice James Omotosho on May 26, 2026, came less than 24 hours after INEC filed an appeal against an earlier ruling that nullified parts of its election guidelines issued to political parties.
In the suit filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the party challenged the powers of INEC to fix and prescribe timetable for political party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The SDP, in the suit instituted on April 9, 2026, raised five legal questions for determination and sought seven reliefs from the court.
However, Justice Omotosho dismissed the argument of the plaintiff, holding that INEC possesses the constitutional authority to regulate electoral activities, including the issuance of election timetable and guidelines for party primaries.
Counsel to INEC, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), had argued that the suit was statute-barred and maintained that the electoral body derives its powers from the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and several decisions of the appellate courts and the Supreme Court.
He further submitted that INEC acted within its constitutional mandate when it released the timetable for the 2027 general election.
The judgement is considered another legal victory for the electoral commission amid ongoing debates surrounding the conduct of party primaries and preparations for the 2027 elections.
