A coalition of political parties has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to immediately revise its 2027 election timetable following a Federal High Court judgment that stripped the commission of key scheduling powers.
The Coalition of United Political Parties, alongside other major parties, issued the demand on Wednesday, a day after Justice M. G. Umar of the Abuja Federal High Court nullified several timeframes in INEC’s Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election as inconsistent with the Electoral Act, 2026.
“We commend the Federal High Court for this progressive and constitution-aligned judgment,” said Chief Peter Ameh, Acting National Chairman of the CUPP.
“INEC must immediately obey this ruling and adjust its timetable accordingly. Any decision to appeal this judgment will only create unnecessary uncertainty, erode public confidence, and undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
“The coalition argued that the ruling expands democratic space by restoring party autonomy over internal processes that INEC had sought to regulate through its timetable. Among the gains the parties highlighted were the exemption of substitution primaries from the strict timelines of the Electoral Act, the nullification of the 21-day membership register submission requirement for such primaries, and the affirmation that INEC cannot unilaterally shorten the statutory windows for candidate submission and publication of final candidate lists.
Chief Ameh disclosed that 14 political parties have resolved to announce extended internal election timetables to accommodate new members and ensure a more inclusive nomination process in line with the court’s decision.
INEC is yet to publicly respond to the judgment or indicate whether it intends to comply or appeal.
