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INEC Heads to Appeal Court on 9 Grounds – Seeks to Void Judgment Nullifying 2027 Timetable

Published

5 months ago

May 26, 2026

Supreme Court Ruling: INEC Moves to Clarify Fate of 2027 Candidates

INEC Heads to Appeal Court on 9 Grounds – Seeks to Void Judgment Nullifying 2027 Timetable

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally petitioned the Abuja Court of Appeal to overturn the verdict that nullified the dates it provided for the 2027 general elections, while also requesting a stay of execution of the judgment pending the resolution of its appeal. In a legal move that has thrown the 2027 election calendar into uncertainty, INEC filed a notice of appeal on May 25, 2026, through its team of attorneys led by Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN. The commission raised nine grounds of appeal urging the appellate court to consider and vacate the May 20 ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The judgment, delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar, had nullified key aspects of INEC’s timetable, including deadlines for party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, publication of final candidate lists, and campaign schedules. The lower court held that INEC lacked the statutory power to “fix or prescribe the timeframe within which political parties may conduct their primary elections for the purpose of nominating candidates for the 2027 general elections.”

In its appeal, INEC contended that the high court erred in law by failing to resolve a jurisdictional question it raised before the substantive hearing. The commission argued that the legal action initiated by the Youth Party (YP) against it was not only hypothetical but also academic in nature. INEC maintained that the trial court’s reluctance to make pronouncements on the jurisdictional issues denied the appellant a fair hearing. The commission further argued that the trial court erred in law when it interpreted Sections 29(1), 82, and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026 in a manner that contradicted the clear wording of the statute.

INEC provided its own interpretation of the relevant sections of the Electoral Act, 2026, arguing that the lower court got it wrong. According to the commission, Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 mandates political parties to submit the names of candidates in prescribed forms – of candidates who emerged from their valid primaries – not later than 120 days before the date of the general election. Furthermore, INEC argued that what is actually required of political parties under the Electoral Act, 2026, is to notify the commission 21 days before holding their primaries, congresses, or conventions – whether for the election of executive committees, other governing bodies, or for nominating candidates. “The Defendant is not mandated to impose a timeframe for political parties to conduct their primaries, provided that it will be done and submitted not later than the 120 days provided by the Electoral Act, 2026. See Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026,” INEC stated in its appeal. The commission insisted that the verdict of the trial court was against the weight of evidence that was placed before it by the parties. Consequently, INEC urged the appellate court to grant the appeal and set aside the judgment in its entirety.

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Beyond the substantive issues, INEC also attacked the legal standing (locus standi) of the Youth Party (YP) to initiate and maintain the action. The commission described the suit as “purely academic” and argued that the YP lacked the requisite legal right to bring the complaint in the first place. INEC urged the Court of Appeal to dismiss YP’s complaint on this ground, arguing that only parties with a direct stake in the electoral process should be allowed to challenge the commission’s constitutionally derived powers to organize and supervise elections.

The Federal High Court’s judgment, which INEC is now appealing, made several key declarations that shook the electoral landscape. The court declared that INEC does not possess the statutory power to publish the final list of candidates for the 2027 general election before the 60-day minimum period prescribed by law. It also ruled that INEC cannot fix campaign activities to end two days before the election, as this is inconsistent with Section 98 of the Electoral Act, 2026. Additionally, the court held that the timeframe prescribed by INEC for submission of membership registers for the conduct of primary elections is not applicable to primary elections conducted for the purpose of replacing withdrawn candidates. The court effectively ruled that INEC had exceeded its statutory mandate by imposing restrictive timelines that abridged periods expressly guaranteed under the Electoral Act, 2026.

As part of its appeal, INEC has also filed a motion for stay of execution of the lower court’s judgment. The commission argues that allowing the judgment to stand while the appeal is pending would disrupt the carefully planned sequence of electoral activities and potentially throw the 2027 general elections into confusion. If granted, the stay of execution would suspend the lower court’s ruling, effectively restoring INEC’s original timetable pending the final determination of the appeal by the Court of Appeal.

The appeal has placed opposition parties in a difficult position. However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) – which recently admitted it was unprepared for INEC-level logistics in conducting nationwide primaries – says it anticipated the commission’s legal move. Speaking with The Guardian, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi revealed that the party deliberately chose not to act on the lower court’s judgment because they regarded it as a “booby trap”. “We expected it, and that was the reason we did not shift our primaries. We regarded the judgment as a booby trap in the first instance,” Abdullahi said. “However, our disposition to that judgment does not prejudice the fact that INEC is not doing the right thing. We will do everything possible to ensure that Nigerians have a strong alternative government of their choice next year, one that will reshape the country.”

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The Social Democratic Party (SDP) also reacted to INEC’s appeal, with its National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, stating that while the commission has the constitutional right to appeal, “it will meet the whole of Nigeria in court.” Agunloye added that it had become obvious that INEC was “working not for Nigerians, but in the interest of one individual” – an apparent reference to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

However, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the immediate past spokesman of former INEC Chairman, defended the commission’s decision to challenge the judgment. He argued that the ruling questioned INEC’s constitutional powers to organize and supervise elections. “The first function is to organise, undertake and supervise all elections into the offices of President, Vice President, Governor, Deputy Governor, as well as membership of the Senate, House of Representatives and state Houses of Assembly,” Oyekanmi said. He explained that extensive planning and consultations with political parties and stakeholders usually precede the release of any election timetable by the commission. “Therefore, any attempt to compel the commission to alter timelines of activities in the 2027 election timetable should not be taken lightly because of the constitutional and electoral implications involved,” he added.

With INEC’s appeal now pending before the Court of Appeal, the electoral calendar for the 2027 general elections remains uncertain. The commission’s motion for stay of execution, if granted, would suspend the lower court’s ruling while the appeal is being heard. For opposition parties like the ADC, which are already grappling with leadership crises and the logistical nightmare of conducting nationwide primaries, the legal battle adds another layer of uncertainty to an already turbulent political season. Legal analysts suggest that the Court of Appeal may expedite hearing of the matter given the time-sensitive nature of electoral timelines. A quick resolution is expected, as any prolonged uncertainty could disrupt party primaries and other pre-election activities.

INEC Heads to Appeal Court on 9 Grounds – Seeks to Void Judgment Nullifying 2027 Timetable

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BREAKING: FG Announces 30-Day Petrol Discount, Gives NNPCL Fresh Directive

Published

8 hours ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

BREAKING: FG Announces 30-Day Petrol Discount, Gives NNPCL Fresh Directive

Public transporters to get priority as government moves to cushion impact of high fuel prices

The Federal Government has announced a 30-day discount on petrol sold through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), with public transport operators to receive priority under the arrangement.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, announced the measure on Thursday, October 8, 2026, during a press briefing in Abuja on petrol prices and subsidy-related issues.

Oyedele said the intervention should not be interpreted as a return to petrol subsidy, explaining that the government would instead allow petrol to be sold at cost during the period.

“We are offering a discount on petrol dispensed by NNPC Limited for the next 30 days in the first instance with priority for public transporters nationwide.”

The minister added: “It’s not a subsidy; government is just saying we sell to you at cost.”

FG targets N1,350 petrol landing-cost ceiling

The announcement forms part of a broader package of measures being introduced by the Federal Government to moderate the impact of rising petrol and transportation costs.

Oyedele also disclosed that the government was negotiating a ₦1,350-per-litre ceiling on the ex-gantry or landing cost of petrol.

According to him, the proposed price-modulation arrangement is intended to prevent pump prices from immediately following every fluctuation in international crude oil prices and foreign exchange rates.

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He said the ceiling would be reviewed monthly, with adjustments made when necessary.

Public transporters given priority

Under the 30-day arrangement, public transport operators nationwide are expected to receive priority in accessing the discounted petrol.

The measure is significant because fuel costs have a direct impact on transport fares and, consequently, the prices of food and other essential commodities.

The government is therefore seeking to provide immediate relief while working on longer-term measures aimed at reducing volatility in petrol prices.

No exact discount amount announced yet

However, the Federal Government has not, as of the announcement, disclosed the exact amount of the 30-day discount or stated a new uniform pump price that all NNPCL stations will charge.

Vanguard reported that NNPCL had separately announced a ₦66-per-litre discount for customers using the NNPC Fuel App at its stations nationwide.

The latest announcement appears to be a broader government intervention, but details of its implementation, including how eligible public transporters will access the discount, are still expected.

FG unveils wider relief measures

Oyedele also disclosed other measures aimed at easing the pressure of high fuel and transportation costs.

These include efforts to moderate taxes and levies that increase logistics costs, forward crude sales to domestic refiners, increased funding for cash transfers to vulnerable households and subsidised credit for small businesses and consumers.

The government is also working with state governments to accelerate the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel for transportation.

What Nigerians should know

The latest announcement does not amount to a formal restoration of the petrol subsidy, according to the Finance Minister.

Rather, the government says it intends to temporarily sell petrol through NNPCL at cost, with public transporters prioritised, while pursuing mechanisms to make fuel prices less vulnerable to sudden international market and exchange-rate movements.

The 30-day period is expected to provide some relief to transport operators and commuters, although the impact on pump prices and transport fares will depend on the details of the implementation.

Newstrends.ng will continue to monitor the Federal Government and NNPCL for the exact discount amount, effective pump prices and implementation guidelines.

BREAKING: FG Announces 30-Day Petrol Discount, Gives NNPCL Fresh Directive

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World Bank Raises Nigeria Growth Forecast, Demands More Jobs, Poverty Reduction

Published

14 hours ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

World Bank Raises Nigeria Growth Forecast, Demands More Jobs, Poverty Reduction

The World Bank has upgraded its economic growth forecast for Nigeria, citing improving macroeconomic stability, stronger investor confidence and a gradual recovery in private investment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms.

In its latest Africa Economic Update, the bank raised Nigeria’s 2026 growth forecast to 4.3 per cent, up from an estimated 4.0 per cent growth in 2025.

It also projected that the Nigerian economy would expand by 4.4 per cent annually in 2027 and 2028, reflecting expectations of continued improvement in economic activity.

The World Bank said Nigeria was among nearly three-quarters of sub-Saharan African countries whose growth outlooks were upgraded, attributing the broader improvement to years of economic reforms and better macroeconomic management.

For Nigeria, the bank pointed to progress in restoring macroeconomic stability, stronger external balances, improved fiscal revenues, increased investor confidence and a gradual recovery in private investment.

Nigeria’s economy expanded by 4.43 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, according to official data, with agriculture and services recording stronger performances.

However, the World Bank cautioned that faster economic growth alone would not be enough to significantly improve living standards.

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It said the country’s next major challenge was to translate economic growth into productive jobs, higher household incomes and lower poverty.

The bank estimates that about 3.5 million people enter Nigeria’s labour force every year, putting enormous pressure on the economy to generate sufficient and sustainable employment opportunities.

It warned that the significance of Nigeria’s improving growth outlook would increasingly depend on whether economic expansion results in increased investment, business growth, higher productivity and better-paying jobs.

The World Bank’s latest assessment also showed that poverty remains a major concern. It estimated that 69.6 per cent of Nigerians lived below the lower-middle-income poverty line of $4.20 a day in 2025, while about 123 million people, or 50.8 per cent of the population, lived in extreme poverty under the bank’s cited measure.

The lender said improving macroeconomic conditions had created an opportunity for Nigeria to move from economic stabilisation towards expanding productive capacity and improving living standards.

It, however, warned that rising government spending ahead of the 2027 elections could undermine the momentum of recent reforms if fiscal discipline weakens.

The bank also stressed the importance of greater private-sector investment, improved electricity supply, transport and logistics, digital infrastructure, access to finance, agricultural productivity and a better business environment.

It said investments in education, skills, healthcare and early-childhood development would also be critical to improving the productivity of Nigeria’s future workforce.

Beyond Nigeria, the World Bank raised its forecast for sub-Saharan Africa to 4.3 per cent growth in 2026, up from 4.1 per cent in 2025 and 0.3 percentage points above its April projection.

The bank said the region still faced significant risks from geopolitical tensions, climate shocks, tighter financial conditions, insecurity and declining development assistance.

It also urged African governments to invest in artificial intelligence and digital technologies, saying affordable AI applications in areas such as education, agriculture, healthcare, finance and small businesses could help boost productivity and create more jobs.

For Nigeria, the message is increasingly clear: maintaining macroeconomic stability is only the first stage of the recovery, while the bigger test will be whether the reforms deliver jobs, income growth and meaningful poverty reduction for households.

World Bank Raises Nigeria Growth Forecast, Demands More Jobs, Poverty Reduction

News

BREAKING: NLC Shuts Down Abuja Indefinitely Over FCT Teachers’ Promotion Dispute

Published

2 days ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

N500 Petrol, Wage Award: Public Sector Workers Begin Warning Strike

BREAKING: NLC Shuts Down Abuja Indefinitely Over FCT Teachers’ Promotion Dispute

The Federal Capital Territory was thrown into an indefinite industrial crisis on Wednesday as the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, ordered workers across Abuja to withdraw their services over unresolved disputes surrounding the promotion and career progression of teachers.

The strike, which took effect on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, after months of disagreements over teachers’ welfare, promotion procedures and the treatment of senior education officials.

The NLC FCT Council said it was compelled to resort to industrial action after rejecting the response of the FCTA to its demands, describing the administration’s position as “ambiguous, dismissive and totally unacceptable.”

The directive, issued in a communique signed by the NLC FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo, directed the congress’s affiliate unions to mobilise their members for the indefinite action until the outstanding issues are resolved.

At the heart of the dispute is the controversial “vacancy clause”, which makes the promotion of teachers subject to the availability of vacant positions.

The labour movement argues that the condition has resulted in career stagnation for qualified teachers who have met the requirements for advancement but are unable to move to the next cadre because of the absence of vacancies.

The NLC maintains that teachers, recruited specifically to teach under the FCT Universal Basic Education Board and FCT Secondary Education Board, should not be subjected to a promotion arrangement designed for core civil servants or pool officers.

The dispute has been building for months. In September, the NLC gave the FCTA a seven-day ultimatum to resolve the grievances, following earlier protests by teachers over the vacancy requirement and concerns surrounding the 2025 promotion examination.

Among the union’s demands is the removal of the vacancy requirement from the promotion process for teachers. It is also demanding that teachers who were eligible for promotion in 2025 but were unable to take the examination be allowed to sit for the exercise before or alongside the 2026 candidates.

The NLC is further demanding the reversal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to some directors in the education sector, citing the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022.

The union has also called for changes involving the management of the FCT education agencies, including the FCT Universal Basic Education Board and FCT Secondary Education Board.

The FCTA, however, has previously defended its administrative decisions, saying its policies on promotion, redeployment and other personnel matters are guided by existing civil service regulations and ongoing reforms in the education sector.

An FCTA official also defended the redeployment of senior education administrators, citing relevant federal guidelines.

The labour dispute has also exposed divisions within the organised labour movement in the territory. The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, FCT Chapter, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress, has reportedly distanced itself from the strike, maintaining that the FCTA has the authority to deploy personnel and that promotion should take account of established vacancies and available resources.

With the NLC now declaring the action indefinite, the dispute threatens to disrupt schools, government offices and other public services across the nation’s capital.

The union has urged parents, residents, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to press the FCTA to resolve the issues, insisting that the industrial action will continue until its demands are satisfactorily addressed.

The NLC’s latest position is unequivocal: without a resolution of what it considers the fundamental grievances affecting teachers, the strike will continue indefinitely.