Court nullifies INEC deadline, gives parties till September 2026
Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified INEC's deadline for political parties to submit their membership registers, affirming that electoral guidelines cannot override the Nigerian Constitution. The landmark judgment prevents INEC from prescribing binding timelines on how parties conduct internal primaries.
IPAC hailed the decision as victory for democracy and rule of law, stating that INEC's guidelines can never be superior to constitutional provisions. The court ruling specifically protects parties from exclusionary conditions that could disenfranchise aspirants and members.
The case involved INEC's attempt to regulate internal party processes through administrative guidelines, which the court deemed an aberration of constitutional supremacy. The judgment restores constitutional rights for parties to manage internal affairs without unlawful administrative interference.
This development validates concerns that compressing too many electoral activities within limited timeframe creates confusion and exclusion. Political parties now have clear constitutional mandate to provide equal opportunity for participation in primaries.
How should INEC balance regulatory oversight with respect for party autonomy in future electoral processes?