Appeal Court Restores INEC Guidelines, Paves Way for 2027 General Elections

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has set aside a Federal High Court judgment that nullified key timelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 general elections, restoring the electoral body’s authority to enforce its Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities . In a unanimous decision delivered on Thursday by a three-member panel, the appellate court upheld INEC’s appeal against the May 20 judgment of Justice Mohammed Umar, ruling that the trial court failed to follow binding judicial precedents . The Court held that INEC’s Revised Timetable constitutes subsidiary legislation made pursuant to the Electoral Act 2026, and therefore carries the same force and effect as the principal legislation itself . According to the appellate court, every deadline contained in the revised schedule falls within the provisions of the Electoral Act, and the electoral commission validly exercised its statutory powers in issuing the timetable . The judgment effectively removes the legal uncertainty that had trailed preparations for the 2027 general elections after conflicting judicial decisions created concerns over the validity of the commission’s electoral calendar .

The dispute originated from a suit filed by the Youth Party, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, challenging key provisions of INEC’s revised timetable . The party had argued that INEC lacked statutory authority to prescribe the period within which political parties must conduct their primaries for nominating candidates for the 2027 general elections . Delivering judgment on May 20, Justice Mohammed Umar agreed with the Youth Party and declared that INEC could not lawfully abridge the statutory timelines provided under the Electoral Act by prescribing earlier deadlines in its election timetable . The trial court relied on Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, which gives political parties up to 120 days before an election to submit the personal particulars of nominated candidates, and held that INEC lacked the power to shorten that period . The Federal High Court also ruled that Section 31 of the Electoral Act permits political parties to withdraw and substitute candidates not later than 90 days before an election, making it unlawful for INEC to impose an earlier deadline . Similarly, the trial court held that Section 32 of the Electoral Act does not empower INEC to publish the final list of candidates earlier than the statutory minimum period of 60 days before an election . The court consequently invalidated INEC’s timelines for the conduct of party primaries, nomination of candidates, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, and also set aside the commission’s May 10 deadline requiring political parties to submit their membership registers and databases as a condition for participation in the 2027 general elections .

READ ALSO:

• US Approves $1.96B Precision Weapons Sale to Saudi Arabia Amid Iran Conflict
• Sowore Risks Losing Defence as Court Issues Final Warning Over Repeated Delays
• BREAKING: “I’ve Never Met Him”: Gbajabiamila Files ₦15bn Defamation Suit Against PFIPC DG

Dissatisfied with the judgment, INEC filed a nine-ground notice of appeal dated May 25, urging the appellate court to overturn the decision . The commission argued that the trial court failed to determine a jurisdictional objection it had raised before proceeding to the substantive issues, thereby denying it a fair hearing . INEC maintained that the suit filed by the Youth Party was hypothetical and academic and that the party lacked legal standing to institute and maintain the action . The commission further contended that although Section 29(1) requires political parties to submit candidate names not later than 120 days before an election, the Act equally empowers INEC to coordinate and regulate the electoral process by issuing a timetable that ensures the orderly conduct of elections . INEC also argued that enforcing the Federal High Court judgment would disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections, submitting that “if the judgment is enforced or executed before the hearing and determination of the appeal, the entire electoral architecture and preparations for the 2027 general elections will be thrown into confusion” . According to the commission, the election timetable is an integrated programme in which every stage—from submission of membership registers and conduct of primaries to nomination of candidates, campaigns and publication of final lists—is interconnected .

The Court of Appeal agreed with INEC’s submissions, with the lead judgment prepared by Justice Adebukola Banjoko and read by Justice Okon Abang . The appellate court faulted the trial court for invalidating the administrative discretion of INEC, stating that “where INEC acts within its power, the courts cannot get involved” . The court also held that the Youth Party lacked legal standing to institute the case, as it did not explain how the guidelines affected its members in the conduct of primary elections for candidate nomination . “There was no deposition or threat that the respondent was prevented from conducting its primaries,” the court stated. “The respondent can only invoke the powers of the court where there are heavy threats to its participation in the election” . The ruling restores all timelines earlier fixed by INEC for party primaries, submission of candidates’ personal particulars, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, publication of the final list of candidates, and other pre-election activities . With the appellate court’s verdict, political parties are now expected to align with the restored timetable as they prepare for primaries, candidate nominations and other activities leading to the next general election . Unless further appealed to the Supreme Court, Thursday’s decision restores the legal foundation for INEC’s 2027 election timetable, allowing the commission to continue implementing its schedule for the forthcoming general elections without the restrictions imposed by the earlier High Court ruling .

Appeal Court Restores INEC Guidelines, Paves Way for 2027 General Elections

Sanwo-Olu Tours Flood-hit Lagos Communities, Orders Urgent Drainage Works, Long-term Fixes

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday embarked on an extensive inspection of flood-ravaged communities in Eti Osa, assuring affected residents of immediate relief measures and long-term infrastructure projects to tackle the persistent flooding that has displaced families, disrupted businesses and submerged roads.

The governor, accompanied by Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab and other members of the State Executive Council, spent more than six hours assessing the devastation in Ogombo, Awoyaya, Sangotedo, Gbetu-Iwerekun and Chevron, where weeks of heavy rainfall left many communities under water.

According to a statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, the inspection was aimed at evaluating the extent of the damage and identifying both immediate and permanent solutions to the flooding crisis.

Residents used the opportunity to present their grievances, lamenting the destruction of homes, impassable roads and the disruption of commercial activities caused by the slow recession of floodwaters.

Sanwo-Olu sympathised with the affected residents and assured them that the state government had already begun clearing blocked drainage channels and removing obstructions along natural waterways to accelerate the discharge of stormwater.

The governor explained that investigations revealed that much of the flooding resulted from blocked natural tributaries and drainage canals, worsened in several locations by indiscriminate refuse dumping and unapproved developments built on natural water channels, which hindered the free flow of water into the lagoon.

READ ALSO:

• Mary Habila: NYCN gives David Umahi seven days to resign, threatens nationwide protest
• National Assembly moves to shield state police from governors, political interference
• Osun APC demands probe of alleged N130bn Ede Airport project

As an immediate intervention, he announced plans to construct bridge deck systems in low-lying communities such as Ogombo and Gbetu-Iwerekun to facilitate faster drainage, while a comprehensive dredging of the Ikota River and the removal of all encroachments along the river course would provide a lasting solution.

“Over the last two days that we have recorded a slowdown in rainfall, it is important we quickly come out and see where we need to do drainage improvements and additional investment in constructing infrastructure that would help clear the natural water channels,” the governor said.

He noted that although the unprecedented rainfall recorded over the past three weeks contributed significantly to the flooding, human activities had compounded the problem.

“Given the volume of rainfall we have witnessed in the last three weeks, we discovered that the major factor responsible for the flooding is natural occurrence, even though we have done our best to preserve and protect the natural channels of water.

“However, in recent times, we have observed constriction and impediments arising from developments along the natural flow of water.”

Sanwo-Olu said aerial drone footage confirmed that several structures obstructing natural drainage routes were erected without approval, reducing the waterways’ capacity to discharge stormwater into the lagoon.

He also attributed flooding in some locations to extensive land reclamation and soil filling, which trapped water and necessitated mechanical excavation to restore proper drainage.

During his inspection of Chevron Drive, the governor observed that some property developments had blocked critical water channels, resulting in flooding across Victoria Garden City, Ajiran, Osapa London and Orchid Road.

He disclosed that the state government had already commenced the demolition and removal of structures obstructing the Ikota River corridor to reopen key outlets for floodwater.

“If we are able to open these two water outlets, this will significantly relieve the pressure we have seen even from the Orchid and Osapa London axis of Eti Osa. The work is ongoing and we hope these measures will bring lasting solutions to the problem,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Sanwo-Olu Tours Flood-hit Lagos Communities, Orders Urgent Drainage Works, Long-term Fixes

National Assembly moves to shield state police from governors, political interference

The National Assembly has unveiled plans to ensure that the proposed state police system operates independently of governors, political actors, criminal networks and other vested interests as part of ongoing constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.

The assurance was given by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who said lawmakers are working on robust legal safeguards to guarantee the operational, administrative and financial independence of state police services once they are established.

Speaking while responding to concerns raised by stakeholders over the proposed creation of state police, Bamidele acknowledged that many Nigerians remain apprehensive about decentralised policing due to the country’s historical experience during the First Republic, when regional governments exercised considerable control over local police formations.

According to the senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, the National Assembly recognises those concerns and is determined to prevent any future abuse by embedding constitutional checks and balances into the proposed framework.

A key proposal under consideration is to make funding for state police a first-line constitutional charge, similar to the funding arrangement currently enjoyed by Nigeria’s judiciary. Bamidele explained that the measure would ensure state police institutions receive statutory funding directly, preventing governors from using financial control to influence policing decisions or punish security agencies that refuse to carry out political directives.

He cited the constitutional funding model for the judiciary, noting that judicial officers do not require executive approval for routine expenditures because their funding is protected by the Constitution.

READ ALSO:

• Osun APC demands probe of alleged N130bn Ede Airport project
• Messi inspires Argentina to dramatic victory over England, sets up Spain final
• Delta Police Arrest Content Creator Over Alleged Rape, Death of Nursing Student

“The Commissioner of Police and the State Police Service Commission must have a guaranteed source of funds provided for in the Constitution so that the police chief will not be subject to the whims and caprices of a state governor,” Bamidele said.

He warned that without such protection, governors could withhold funding whenever state police authorities refuse to comply with political instructions.

To address this, lawmakers are considering a constitutional provision that would earmark a fixed percentage of every state’s annual budget specifically for the operations of state police, with clear guidelines on how the funds can be accessed and managed.

In addition to guaranteed funding, the National Assembly is considering the establishment of independent State Police Service Commissions to oversee recruitment, promotions, discipline and other personnel matters. The proposed commissions are expected to reduce executive influence over appointments and operations while promoting professionalism, accountability and merit within the new policing system.

Lawmakers are also working on provisions that will clearly define the relationship between the proposed state police and the Nigeria Police Force, ensuring effective collaboration without jurisdictional conflicts and strengthening national security coordination.

The renewed push for state police comes amid worsening insecurity across Nigeria, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, armed robbery and attacks on rural communities. Governors, traditional rulers, security experts and civil society organisations have repeatedly argued that Nigeria’s centralised policing structure has become overstretched and requires reform to improve intelligence gathering, community policing and rapid emergency response.

Supporters of the proposal believe locally controlled police services will be more familiar with the communities they serve, enabling quicker responses to security threats and stronger partnerships with residents. However, critics have warned that without adequate safeguards, state police could be used by governors to intimidate political opponents, suppress dissent or influence elections.

Bamidele said the National Assembly is determined to ensure those fears do not materialise by creating a constitutional framework that protects the independence of the proposed security outfit while guaranteeing accountability, professionalism and respect for human rights.

The proposal forms part of the ongoing Constitution Review being undertaken by the National Assembly to strengthen governance and improve national security. Any amendment creating state police must secure approval by both chambers of the National Assembly and be endorsed by at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly before becoming law.

If passed, the reform would represent one of the most significant changes to Nigeria’s policing system since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

National Assembly moves to shield state police from governors, political interference