By Peace Erewunmi

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines for the conduct of the 2027 general election, setting aside an earlier judgment of the Federal High Court that nullified parts of the electoral body’s timetable and guidelines.

In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, the appellate court held that the Federal High Court erred in law by invalidating the guidelines. The court ruled that the Youth Party (YP), which instituted the suit against INEC, lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to challenge the commission’s directives because it failed to show how the guidelines adversely affected its participation in the election process.

The lead judgment, prepared by Justice Adebukola Banjoko and read by Justice Okon Abang, stated that INEC acted within the powers granted to it by law in issuing the election timetable and guidelines. The court further held that the trial court wrongly granted declaratory reliefs against the electoral commission and consequently set aside the entire judgment.

The appellate court also affirmed that INEC has the statutory authority to issue guidelines and timelines for the conduct of elections, provided they are consistent with the Electoral Act. It noted that courts should not interfere with the commission’s administrative discretion where it acts within the limits of its constitutional and statutory powers.

The ruling restores INEC’s revised timetable and guidelines for the 2027 general election, allowing the electoral commission to proceed with preparations in line with its schedule. The judgment is expected to provide certainty for political parties and other stakeholders as activities leading to the 2027 polls continue.