The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a fresh warning to political parties over compliance with electoral timelines, stating that any primary election conducted beyond its stipulated deadline of May 30, 2026, remains invalid unless overturned by a superior court.

The clarification was made by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, who spoke in a media interaction with Punch. According to him, political parties are expected to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 while the commission’s legal appeal is still pending before the Court of Appeal.

Haruna emphasized that the current legal framework remains binding, and parties that conduct primaries outside the approved schedule risk having their processes invalidated. He noted that the commission’s position is guided by ongoing judicial proceedings, making strict compliance necessary for now.

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The controversy surrounding the electoral timetable stems from a recent Federal High Court judgment in Abuja that challenged aspects of INEC’s schedule for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections. The case, filed by the Youth Party (YP), questioned whether the commission had the authority to shorten timelines set by the Electoral Act 2026.

Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that INEC could not legally abridge statutory deadlines, particularly those relating to the submission of party membership records and candidate details. The court held that certain provisions of the commission’s timetable were inconsistent with the Electoral Act.

Following the judgment, INEC appealed the ruling and sought a stay of execution, insisting that its timetable was issued within its constitutional mandate. The commission maintains that it retains the authority to regulate electoral processes, including the issuance of schedules for party primaries.

However, the legal dispute has created uncertainty for political parties, many of which are now navigating conflicting interpretations of the law. While INEC insists that its May 30 deadline remains valid for now, parties are awaiting the outcome of the appeal for final clarity.

In a related development, another Federal High Court in Abuja upheld INEC’s constitutional authority to issue election timetables, but also stressed that such powers must align with the timelines set in the Electoral Act. This has further deepened the legal debate surrounding electoral scheduling.

Political observers note that the outcome of the appellate court decision could significantly shape the conduct of party primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, political parties across the country are already facing internal challenges as they conclude or rerun primaries. The African Democratic Congress (ADC), for instance, recently ordered reruns in several constituencies in Kaduna State after identifying irregularities such as omission of candidates, procedural breaches, and lack of credible voting records.

The ongoing disputes underscore the growing tension between electoral institutions and political actors as Nigeria prepares for another major election cycle.

As the legal process continues, INEC has urged all parties to remain compliant with existing laws, warning that deviations from approved timelines will not be recognised unless set aside by the Court of Appeal. The commission reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transparency, order, and adherence to the rule of law in the electoral process.