By Our Correspondent

National News – A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified parts of the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 general elections, ruling that the commission exceeded its legal powers by shortening timelines provided in the Electoral Act 2026.

The judgment was delivered on Wednesday by Justice M. G. Umar in a suit filed by the Youth Party against INEC.

The court held that INEC could not lawfully reduce the timelines for party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, replacement of candidates, publication of final candidates’ lists, and campaign periods ahead of the 2027 elections.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, challenged sections of the revised election timetable announced earlier this year.

According to the judgment, Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act requires political parties to submit candidate details at least 120 days before an election.

Justice Umar ruled that INEC lacked the authority to shorten this period through administrative directives.

The court also stated that parties are legally allowed to withdraw and replace candidates up to 90 days before an election under Section 31 of the Act.

The ruling further declared unlawful INEC’s decision to publish final candidates’ lists earlier than the 60-day period specified by law.

The judge also faulted the commission’s directive asking parties to end campaigns two days before elections, noting that campaign timelines are already defined by the Electoral Act.

The Youth Party, through its counsel J. O. Olotu, argued that INEC attempted to unlawfully restrict political parties’ statutory rights.

INEC’s lawyer, Sarafa Yusuf, had urged the court to dismiss the suit, but the court ruled in favour of the plaintiff.

The judgment is expected to force INEC to revise parts of its 2027 election timetable to comply fully with the Electoral Act 2026, a decision likely to impact political parties preparing for the next general elections in Nigeria.