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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Party register: IPAC, ADC hail court ruling voiding INEC’s deadlines

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have praised a Federal High Court ruling that nullified parts of the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) timetable for the 2027 general elections.
  • The court determined that INEC exceeded its powers by shortening timelines stipulated in the Electoral Act 2026 through administrative guidelines.
  • IPAC views the judgment as a victory for constitutional democracy and a safeguard against arbitrary administrative actions, urging INEC to enhance consultations with political parties.

The Nigerian judiciary has once again affirmed the supremacy of the law over administrative fiat, a development that is being rightly celebrated by political stakeholders. The Federal High Court's decision to strike down INEC's attempts to arbitrarily shorten electoral timelines is a crucial victory for constitutional democracy and the rule of law in our nation.

The judgment is a clear reaffirmation of constitutional supremacy and the rule of law. It is an aberration for INEC to attempt to rewrite the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through administrative guidelines.

— Egbeola MartinsIPAC National Publicity Secretary on the court's ruling.

As reported by The Punch, both the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and the African Democratic Congress have lauded this judgment. IPAC, in particular, has emphasized that INEC's guidelines cannot supersede the Electoral Act or the Constitution. This ruling serves as a vital check against potential overreach by electoral bodies, ensuring that the electoral process remains fair and inclusive for all participants.

INEC guidelines can never be superior to the Constitution or the provisions of extant laws governing the electoral process. While no one is questioning the powers of the commission to issue guidelines for the conduct of elections, such guidelines must operate strictly within the confines of the law.

— Egbeola MartinsIPAC National Publicity Secretary clarifying the legal standing.

This judgment is particularly significant for Nigeria's democratic journey. It reinforces the principle that electoral processes must be governed by clear statutory provisions, not by the whims of administrative bodies. By upholding the timelines set forth in the Electoral Act, the court has protected the space for political participation and prevented exclusionary practices that could disenfranchise aspirants and voters alike. This is a win for all Nigerians who believe in a robust and transparent electoral system.

This judgment therefore represents a major victory for democracy, the rule of law, political parties and indeed all citizens of Nigeria.

— Egbeola MartinsIPAC National Publicity Secretary on the broader implications of the ruling.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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