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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is yet to receive the full judgment of the Federal High Court ruling that nullified parts of its 2027 election timetable, as political parties continue to react to the development.
The judgment, delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2016, voided INEC’s directive requiring political parties to submit their membership registers by May 10, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The court held that although INEC has the constitutional power to receive notices of party primaries, monitor the exercises and collect particulars of candidates, it lacks the authority to fix or dictate timelines for the internal activities of political parties.
The ruling consequently affected INEC’s revised schedule for party primaries, candidate nominations and other pre-election processes.
Speaking in a telephone interview with the Nigerian Tribune, INEC Deputy Director of Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, said the commission would not take a position on the matter until it receives and studies the certified copy of the judgment.
According to him, the electoral body cannot react officially without examining the details of the court’s decision.
“The commission is yet to receive a copy of the ruling. It is only after receiving and studying it that the commission can make its position known. For now, we are still waiting,” he stated.
His remarks aligned with an earlier position expressed by INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, who also noted that the commission would refrain from comments until it fully reviews the judgment.
Meanwhile, political parties have continued to interpret the verdict from different perspectives.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomed the judgment, describing it as a validation of its long-held position that INEC’s guidelines contradicted constitutional provisions.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, however, said the party was unlikely to alter its existing timetable despite the court ruling.
He explained that while the verdict creates more flexibility for political parties, the ADC intends to proceed with its earlier schedule.
“We welcome the judgment because it vindicates our position that the guidelines contradicted the constitution and the law. It provides more flexibility, but we are not likely to change our timetable because of it,” Abdullahi said.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also hailed the ruling, saying it offers political parties additional time to strengthen their internal democratic processes.
The Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the PDP argued that certain provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 were inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution and that INEC exceeded its powers in implementing restrictive timelines for party activities.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the ruling would encourage wider participation in party processes and reduce pressure on political parties rushing to meet deadlines.
According to him, the judgment grants parties more room to organise primaries, process nomination forms and accommodate more aspirants.
He maintained that democracy requires careful and inclusive procedures, noting that decisions taken during party primaries could shape governance outcomes for years.
The PDP further argued that individuals should not be barred from belonging to more than one political association, provided they do not contest elections simultaneously on different platforms.
However, another faction of the PDP led by Honourable Abdulrahman Mohammed said it would await detailed legal advice from its legal department before taking a formal position on the judgment.
Reacting separately, PDP chieftain Ladipo Johnson cautioned opposition parties against celebrating the ruling prematurely, describing it as a “Greek gift” capable of creating instability within opposition ranks.
Johnson warned that the extension of timelines could encourage politicians who fail to secure tickets in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to defect to opposition parties in search of alternative platforms.
He noted that such movements could trigger leadership tussles, alter political calculations and weaken party cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, many opposition leaders have chosen to retain the earlier May 10 schedule because of fears that prolonged timelines may open the door to political infiltration and internal disputes.
