The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to overturn a Federal High Court ruling that nullified part of its guidelines for the 2027 general election. The commission is also seeking an order to stay the execution of the judgment pending the outcome of its appeal.

Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on 20th May 2026 nullified INEC’s directive requiring political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by 10th May as a condition to contest in the 2027 polls. 
The suit was filed by the Youth Party, which challenged the legality of the deadline.

In its judgment, the court ruled that INEC had no power to shorten the timeline set out under Section 29, Subsection 1 of the Electoral Act 2026 for the submission of party membership records and candidates’ details. The ruling effectively invalidated the commission’s earlier instruction to parties.

In the appeal filed yesterday 25th May 2026 through its counsel, Senior Advocate Alex Izinyon, INEC is asking the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment and grant a stay of execution. The commission raised nine grounds of appeal in its challenge against the Federal High Court’s decision.

 

 

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