The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a Federal High Court judgment that nullified parts of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) guidelines for the conduct of the 2027 general election.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, the appellate court held that INEC is legally empowered by the Constitution and the Electoral Act to issue guidelines for the conduct of elections in Nigeria.

The court ruled in favour of INEC, setting aside the decision of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which had limited aspects of the commission’s powers in relation to the 2027 electoral guidelines.

Justice Banjoko also held that the lower court was bound by the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision in the case between INEC and the Youth Party of Nigeria, delivered last week.

INEC had appealed the Federal High Court judgment, arguing that the Constitution expressly grants it the authority to organise, supervise, and regulate elections, including issuing election timetables and guidelines.

Lead counsel to INEC, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), told the court that both the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act empower the commission to oversee elections and all related pre-election activities, including setting timelines for political parties.

The Court of Appeal agreed with INEC’s position and upheld the commission’s authority to issue guidelines governing the conduct of elections.