By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will comply with recent Federal High Court judgments affecting its guidelines for political party primaries while simultaneously pursuing an appeal against the decisions.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this in a telephone interview, stating that the commission had yet to convene a formal meeting to assess the implications of the court rulings on the submission of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
According to Haruna, INEC’s immediate priority is to respect the court’s decisions pending the outcome of its appeal.
“Before the Sallah break, we hadn’t had any meeting on this issue. Since there is a judgment already, we have to obey that judgment,” Haruna said.
“We have appealed and that is our position right now. Work resumes on Monday and I am sure as soon as possible, we will hold a meeting.”
He added that the commission was yet to deliberate on the broader consequences of the judgments on party primaries and candidate submissions.
“INEC is yet to meet to consider the outcome of the primaries,” he stated.
The commission’s position comes amid growing uncertainty following recent judgments by the Federal High Court in Abuja that have significant implications for the conduct and monitoring of political party primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.
In one of the rulings, Justice Umar Mohammed held that INEC lacked the authority to impose conditions on the conduct of party primaries beyond those expressly provided for in the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the constitutions of political parties.
The court further ruled that some provisions contained in INEC’s guidelines — including deadlines for the submission of candidates by political parties — exceeded the commission’s statutory powers.
However, in a separate judgment, Justice James Omotosho upheld INEC’s authority to issue and amend election timetables, provided such actions remain consistent with the Electoral Act and other applicable laws.
The contrasting judgments have triggered legal and political debates over the validity of certain aspects of the primary election process and the enforceability of timelines contained in INEC’s regulations.
In response, the electoral body has approached the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn Justice Umar Mohammed’s decision.
As political parties begin preparations for the 2027 elections, stakeholders are expected to closely watch INEC’s next steps and the outcome of the appeal, which could shape the framework for party primaries and candidate nominations nationwide.
