The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set aside a Federal High Court judgment that nullified key aspects of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) guidelines and timetable for the 2027 general elections.

In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, the appellate court held that the Youth Party, which instituted the suit, lacked the legal standing to challenge the electoral guidelines.

The lead judgment, delivered by Justice Adebukola Banjoko and read by Justice Okon Abang, stated that the party failed to demonstrate any specific injury or direct impact arising from the guidelines, particularly regarding party primaries and the submission of candidates.

The Court of Appeal further ruled that the Federal High Court erred in its May 20, 2026 judgment, which had invalidated aspects of INEC’s timetable, including deadlines for party primaries and the early submission of membership registers and candidates’ particulars on the grounds that they conflicted with the Electoral Act.

INEC had appealed the decision, arguing that the lower court’s ruling amounted to a miscarriage of justice and that the commission was denied a fair hearing on its preliminary objections.

With the appellate court’s decision, the earlier judgment has been vacated, effectively restoring INEC’s electoral guidelines and timetable for the 2027 general elections.