INEC Appeals Judgment Nullifying 2027 Election Guidelines

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lodged an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking to overturn a Federal High Court judgment that nullified parts of its guidelines for the 2027 general elections.

According to the appeal documents dated May 25, 2026, INEC is also requesting a stay of execution of the earlier ruling delivered on May 20, 2026, pending the determination of the case. The commission insists the judgment should not take effect until the appellate court reviews all legal issues involved.

The Federal High Court in Abuja had previously voided INEC’s directive requiring political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10, 2026, as a condition for participation in the 2027 elections. The court held that the provision was inconsistent with Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which governs timelines for candidate submissions.

INEC, however, argues in its appeal that the trial court failed to properly address key jurisdictional concerns, maintaining that the suit filed by the Youth Party was “hypothetical and academic.” The commission further contends that this omission amounted to a denial of fair hearing and has urged the appellate court to dismiss the case in its entirety.

The electoral body’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Izinyon, maintains that the lower court erred in law by not resolving preliminary objections before making its final decision.