Federal High Court Sets Aside INEC Deadline for Party Membership Submission Ahead of 2027 Elections

Court Nullifies INEC Deadline

A Federal High Court in Nigeria on Wednesday set aside the deadline set by the (INEC) for political parties to submit their membership lists and their details by September 2026.

In the past, INEC had ordered political parties to submit their membership lists and details by May 10 in order to be eligible to contest the 2027 elections.

But the court has now said that the parties have the right to continue collecting the details until September 2026.

In the ruling filed by the , Justice M. G. Umar struck down some of the conditions set by INEC ahead of the 2027 elections.

Political activists have seen the court’s ruling as an opportunity for disgruntled voters to defect from parties they feel have not treated them fairly, especially during the competitive elections that the parties are running.

The Court’s Ruling

The petitioners asked the court to decide whether INEC had the power to fix the time limit within which parties could conduct their primaries, or to nominate or change their candidates and to publish the names of their candidates and the time limit for campaigning.

Mr Umar granted the youth party’s request, ruling that INEC did not have the power to determine how a party should conduct its internal affairs.

He ruled that sections 29, 82 and 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 provided that INEC had the power to determine when parties should conduct their primaries and to monitor and approve the names of their candidates, but it was not required to compel them to conclude the elections.

The judge therefore said that INEC had no jurisdiction to act contrary to the electoral law.

He said that the electoral law provides political parties with 90 days before the election to submit their nominations or change them and INEC will not refuse to accept the decision.

It is also not permissible for INEC to publish the names of candidates more than 60 days before the election.

INEC is yet to comment on the ruling.

This ruling comes at a time when political parties in Nigeria are scrambling to complete their primaries before the deadline set by the electoral body to be eligible to contest in the 2027 elections.

Previously, it was stipulated that no candidate could change party to contest once the nominations were completed.

What Does This Mean?

Nigerian lawyer said the court’s ruling was in line with the electoral law because INEC had taken some steps before it.

He said it would also allow politicians to join other parties of their choice as long as it was not less than 120 days as stipulated in the electoral law.

Barrister Hikima said the closure of party registration that INEC had previously wanted to implement now opened the door for those who intend to contest in other parties.

“This [electoral law] does not empower [INEC] to change any right that the law grants to citizens and political parties,” the barrister said.

He added that the ruling was an interpretation of the electoral law made by the court, and that is what the electoral commission should have done.

“This ruling by the court is indeed in line with the law, and the well-known principles of the administration of justice.”

The Door to Defections Has Been Opened

Since the verdict, opposition parties and politicians have been welcoming the move, with speculation that the door to defections will be opened for those who have been treated badly.

The opposition (ADC) party welcomed the verdict, with its spokesman saying that this is an opportunity that will open their doors to angry politicians.

The (PDP) faction led by Tanimu Turaki, through , also said that the verdict is commendable and will allow opposition parties to plan what they have not done and accept new members.

Shortly after the verdict was announced, the member representing Gwale Constituency, , announced his defection from the (APC).

According to a post on his Facebook page by , Mai Rigar Fata defected from the APC to the (NDC) party where received him at his residence in .

His replacement comes after he failed to secure an APC ticket to return to the Kano State House of Assembly in the upcoming elections.

Mai Rigar Fata represents Gwale Local Government Area, where hails from, and is one of the most prominent politicians in the area.

Mai Rigar Fata first contested the 2023 election under the (NNPP), before later following Governor Yusuf to the APC.