The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a Federal High Court judgment that invalidated portions of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) guidelines for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
In a unanimous decision delivered on Thursday, the appellate court ruled that the Youth Party, which instituted the suit against the electoral guidelines, lacked the legal standing to challenge the provisions.
The judgment of the three-member panel was contained in a lead decision prepared by Justice Adebukola Banjoko and read by Justice Okon Abang. The court held that the party failed to demonstrate that it suffered any injury or adverse effect arising from the implementation of the guidelines.
According to the court, the Youth Party did not establish how the disputed provisions affected its internal processes, candidate selection procedures, or participation in the electoral process, thereby failing to meet the requirements for instituting the action.
The appellate court consequently faulted the May 20 ruling of the Federal High Court, delivered by Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, which had struck down parts of INEC’s regulations on the grounds that they conflicted with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Justice Banjoko held that the lower court erred in granting the reliefs sought by the party, noting that the decision resulted in a miscarriage of justice.
The Federal High Court had ruled that INEC lacked the authority to compel political parties to conduct their primaries within timelines prescribed by the commission. It also nullified aspects of the electoral timetable requiring political parties to submit membership registers and candidates’ particulars ahead of deadlines stipulated in the Electoral Act.
Justice Umar had maintained that the commission could not lawfully shorten or alter statutory timelines provided under the law.
INEC, however, challenged the judgment at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the trial court failed to first determine its preliminary objection, which contended that the suit was speculative, academic and disclosed no valid cause of action.
Represented by its counsel, Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), the electoral body further argued that the omission denied it a fair hearing.
In its verdict, the Court of Appeal upheld INEC’s appeal, set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court and dismissed the suit filed by the Youth Party.
The ruling effectively restores the validity and enforceability of INEC’s electoral guidelines and timetable for the 2027 general elections, reaffirming the commission’s preparations for the forthcoming polls.