A major shift in Nigeria’s political landscape may be on the horizon following a Federal High Court ruling that challenged parts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines concerning political party activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar at the Federal High Court in Abuja, declared that INEC exceeded its legal authority by setting specific timelines for political parties to conduct their primaries and other pre-election processes.
The court maintained that such powers are not granted to INEC under the Electoral Act, 2026, emphasizing that political parties have the constitutional right to manage their internal processes without undue restrictions.
The legal challenge was initiated by the Youth Party in a suit identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, with INEC listed as the sole defendant.
Following the court’s decision, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomed the ruling, describing it as a confirmation of concerns previously raised over aspects of the electoral guidelines.
ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated that the party had earlier questioned provisions relating to membership registration procedures and timelines for primary elections, arguing that they conflicted with constitutional principles.
According to the party, the court’s decision also removed barriers that could have restricted politicians seeking alternative political platforms ahead of the general elections.
The ADC further suggested that some of the earlier restrictions may have been aimed at discouraging politicians from leaving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). With the court now ruling otherwise, the party believes the political environment may witness increased movement and possible defections in the coming months.
Political observers are now watching closely to see whether the ruling will reshape political alliances and influence preparations ahead of the 2027 elections.
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