The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned political parties that any primary election conducted beyond its May 30, 2026 deadline will be considered invalid, unless a higher court overturns an earlier Federal High Court ruling.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed this in an interview with The Punch. He emphasized that parties must continue to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 until the Court of Appeal decides on the commission’s appeal.
Haruna stated: “Obviously, for now, any primary held outside INEC’s May 30 deadline will be invalid unless the Court of Appeal overturns the Federal High Court judgment in INEC’s appeal against the ruling that the timetable breached the Electoral Act 2026 in some of its provisions.”
The warning comes amid ongoing legal disputes over INEC’s timetable for party primaries and candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar, had earlier nullified parts of INEC’s guidelines, ruling that the commission unlawfully shortened timelines provided under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026. INEC has since appealed the decision, insisting its timetable was issued in line with its constitutional responsibilities.
Before the ruling, INEC had approved April 23 to May 30, 2026, as the period for political parties to conduct primaries.
In a separate judgment, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court affirmed INEC’s constitutional power to issue election timetables, but stressed that such powers must be exercised strictly within the timelines set by the Electoral Act.
Meanwhile, internal party disputes continue. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) primary appeals committee in Kaduna State has ordered reruns in several constituencies after uncovering irregularities, including omitted aspirants and inconclusive voting. Committee chairman Dr. Muhammed Fagge said the decision was aimed at safeguarding the credibility of the nomination process.
Haruna’s clarification shows that, pending the outcome of INEC’s appeal, political parties risk invalidation of any primaries conducted outside the May 30 deadline.
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