The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has challenged the judgement of a Federal High Court that nullified its revised timetable and schedule for the 2027 general elections.
The commission filed a notice of appeal on Monday, May 25, through its lawyer, Alex Izinyon (SAN), asking the Court of Appeal to overturn the ruling delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
INEC also applied for a stay of execution of the judgement, seeking to suspend its implementation while the appeal is being considered.
In its appeal, the electoral commission raised nine grounds, arguing that the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, failed to address key jurisdictional issues surrounding the case.
INEC maintained that the suit filed against it was hypothetical and academic and argued that the court’s failure to rule on the issue denied the commission fair hearing.
The commission also faulted the court’s interpretation of Sections 29(1), 82 and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026, insisting the provisions did not support what it described as the narrow interpretation adopted in the judgement.
It further argued that the court erred by failing to apply Section 151 of the Electoral Act, 2026, among other legal concerns raised in the appeal.
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The appeal named the Youth Party (YP), which instituted the original suit, as the respondent.
INEC asked the appellate court to allow its appeal and set aside the judgement delivered on May 20 in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026 between the Youth Party and INEC.
The electoral body also requested an order striking out the case, arguing that the Youth Party lacked the legal standing to institute and sustain the suit, while maintaining that the matter was academic.
Separately, INEC filed a motion before the Federal High Court requesting an order staying execution or further enforcement of the judgement pending the determination of its appeal.
Justice Mohammed Umar had, on May 20, voided the revised election timetable issued by INEC after ruling in favour of the Youth Party.
The judge held that the electoral commission imposed restrictive timelines on political parties regarding primaries and pre-election activities in a manner inconsistent with the Electoral Act, 2026.
He also ruled that INEC lacked the legal authority to determine the timeframe within which political parties must conduct primaries for the nomination of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.