₦airaland Forum

•Says Legal Action Was Unauthorised

The national leadership of the Youth Party has distanced itself from a lawsuit filed against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Federal High Court in Abuja, declaring that the legal action was initiated without the approval of the party’s leadership.

In a disclaimer and public notice issued on Wednesday, the party said the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026 and titled Youth Party vs. INEC, as well as the judgment delivered on May 20, 2026, by Justice M. G. Umar, were instituted without the authorisation of its National Working Committee (NWC) or any recognised organ of the party.

The party stated that neither its national leadership nor any official structure sanctioned the legal action against INEC, insisting that those behind the suit acted independently and without a valid mandate.

“We dissociate ourselves entirely from this suit, its proceedings, and the judgment arising therefrom,” the statement read.

The Youth Party further reaffirmed its commitment to complying with the electoral guidelines and timetable issued by INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the statement, the party is not in conflict with the electoral body and has no intention of using the courts to undermine or circumvent lawful electoral processes.

The party said it remains focused on its National Convention scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2026, and its primaries fixed for Friday, May 29, 2026.

“Whilst the timeframe is short and challenging, we do not seek judicial intervention,” the statement added.

The leadership also warned that any individual or group that filed or prosecuted the suit in the party’s name without authorisation would be held personally accountable.

The disclaimer comes amid heightened political activities and legal disputes linked to preparations for the 2027 general elections, with political parties intensifying consultations over compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.

The Youth Party reiterated its commitment to lawful engagement with INEC and adherence to Nigeria’s electoral framework.

Court Nullifies Key Sections of INEC Timetable

In the judgment, Justice Umar restrained INEC from enforcing portions of its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, ruling that several timelines imposed by the commission were inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The judge held that INEC exceeded its statutory powers by prescribing deadlines that abridged periods expressly guaranteed to political parties under the law.

The suit was argued by J. O. Olotu for the plaintiff, while Sarafa Yusuf represented INEC.

In a series of declarations, the court clarified the scope of INEC’s powers regarding party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, substitution of candidates, publication of final candidate lists, and campaign activities.

Justice Umar ruled that Sections 29, 82, and 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 do not empower INEC to prescribe timelines for political parties to conduct primaries for the nomination of candidates for the 2027 elections.

According to the court, INEC’s role is limited to receiving notices of party primaries, monitoring the exercises, and obtaining candidates’ particulars, but does not extend to fixing dates for the conduct of primaries.

The court further declared that under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, political parties are entitled to submit candidates’ particulars up to 120 days before an election and that INEC cannot lawfully shorten that statutory period through its timetable.

Justice Umar also ruled that Section 31 of the Electoral Act allows political parties to withdraw and substitute candidates up to 90 days before an election, adding that INEC lacks the authority to impose an earlier deadline.

On the publication of candidates’ names, the court held that Section 32 of the Electoral Act does not permit INEC to publish the final list of candidates earlier than the minimum 60-day period prescribed by law.

The judge further ruled that INEC does not have statutory authority under Section 98 of the Electoral Act to compel political parties to end campaigns two days before an election, as stated in the revised timetable.

The court also clarified that the timeframe stipulated by INEC for the submission of membership registers for party primaries does not apply to primaries conducted to replace candidates who voluntarily withdraw from elections.

Consequently, the court nullified portions of INEC’s Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Elections relating to party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, publication of final candidate lists, and campaign activities.

Justice Umar held that the affected provisions of the timetable were inconsistent with the Electoral Act, 2026, and were therefore unlawful, invalid, and of no effect.

https://independent.ng/youth-party-distances-itself-from-suit-against-inec-says-action-lacked-approval/

Previous Thread:
https://www.nairaland.com/8676098/court-nullifies-inec-membership-timeline#139480940

Apc evil party cannot stop to amuse me. What are they afraid of.

These ones have been compromised
It didn’t take long before they infiltrated their camp

FRANCOBABA76:
•Says Legal Action Was Unauthorised

The national leadership of the Youth Party has distanced itself from a lawsuit filed against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Federal High Court in Abuja, declaring that the legal action was initiated without the approval of the party’s leadership.

In a disclaimer and public notice issued on Wednesday, the party said the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026 and titled Youth Party vs. INEC, as well as the judgment delivered on May 20, 2026, by Justice M. G. Umar, were instituted without the authorisation of its National Working Committee (NWC) or any recognised organ of the party.

The party stated that neither its national leadership nor any official structure sanctioned the legal action against INEC, insisting that those behind the suit acted independently and without a valid mandate.

“We dissociate ourselves entirely from this suit, its proceedings, and the judgment arising therefrom,” the statement read.

The Youth Party further reaffirmed its commitment to complying with the electoral guidelines and timetable issued by INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the statement, the party is not in conflict with the electoral body and has no intention of using the courts to undermine or circumvent lawful electoral processes.

The party said it remains focused on its National Convention scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2026, and its primaries fixed for Friday, May 29, 2026.

“Whilst the timeframe is short and challenging, we do not seek judicial intervention,” the statement added.

The leadership also warned that any individual or group that filed or prosecuted the suit in the party’s name without authorisation would be held personally accountable.

The disclaimer comes amid heightened political activities and legal disputes linked to preparations for the 2027 general elections, with political parties intensifying consultations over compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.

The Youth Party reiterated its commitment to lawful engagement with INEC and adherence to Nigeria’s electoral framework.

Court Nullifies Key Sections of INEC Timetable

In the judgment, Justice Umar restrained INEC from enforcing portions of its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, ruling that several timelines imposed by the commission were inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The judge held that INEC exceeded its statutory powers by prescribing deadlines that abridged periods expressly guaranteed to political parties under the law.

The suit was argued by J. O. Olotu for the plaintiff, while Sarafa Yusuf represented INEC.

In a series of declarations, the court clarified the scope of INEC’s powers regarding party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, substitution of candidates, publication of final candidate lists, and campaign activities.

Justice Umar ruled that Sections 29, 82, and 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 do not empower INEC to prescribe timelines for political parties to conduct primaries for the nomination of candidates for the 2027 elections.

According to the court, INEC’s role is limited to receiving notices of party primaries, monitoring the exercises, and obtaining candidates’ particulars, but does not extend to fixing dates for the conduct of primaries.

The court further declared that under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, political parties are entitled to submit candidates’ particulars up to 120 days before an election and that INEC cannot lawfully shorten that statutory period through its timetable.

Justice Umar also ruled that Section 31 of the Electoral Act allows political parties to withdraw and substitute candidates up to 90 days before an election, adding that INEC lacks the authority to impose an earlier deadline.

On the publication of candidates’ names, the court held that Section 32 of the Electoral Act does not permit INEC to publish the final list of candidates earlier than the minimum 60-day period prescribed by law.

The judge further ruled that INEC does not have statutory authority under Section 98 of the Electoral Act to compel political parties to end campaigns two days before an election, as stated in the revised timetable.

The court also clarified that the timeframe stipulated by INEC for the submission of membership registers for party primaries does not apply to primaries conducted to replace candidates who voluntarily withdraw from elections.

Consequently, the court nullified portions of INEC’s Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Elections relating to party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, publication of final candidate lists, and campaign activities.

Justice Umar held that the affected provisions of the timetable were inconsistent with the Electoral Act, 2026, and were therefore unlawful, invalid, and of no effect.

the judgement has been passed, nothing can stop it. We await when Inec appeal the judgement. Inec will be disgrace in the appeal court and supreme court of justice.

So ghosts instituted law suits in our courts and go away? See how the courts, rule of law and constitutional processes are being bastardized under this govt just for politics sake. Nigeria has never gone this low to the abyss.

So will this public disclaimer now invalidate the existing court judgment?

Na wa o. We don't know what believe anymore. Let me wait for inec official statement

Naija my country walahi

lordm:
Na wa o. We don't know what believe anymore. Let me wait for inec official statement

There is going to be a serious chaos..

This election eh, I see everyone running

Ok.

It's happening right in our faces.

Only registered parties can institute a case against inec and it must be through their leadership.

The impersonator must be be prosecuted.

Lol 😂😂😂😂😂

APC Sha
Lmaooo very funny people

Op, go and tell Wike and Tinubu that the train has left the station. The court has ruled, so let the leadership of Youth Party go to court.

Validated:
Op, go and tell Wike and Tinubu that the train has left the station. The court has ruled, so let the leadership of Youth Party go to court.

Why not tell NDC to institute the case and let other parties joined the suite as interested parties?

This one has been busted and won't fly.

It can't stand proper scrutiny of the appeal court.

No one knows when the suit was instituted, we only saw the bought judgement.

Are you implying that no marketable people in NDC except APC rejects?

With or without your consent...The Court has given a judgement and it's biding on INEC and every political party...unless appealed

Money have changed hands!

mrvitalis:
Lol 😂😂😂😂😂

APC Sha
Lmaooo very funny people

Wetin consign APC with the party claiming it was impersonated?

This confirms that APC is filled with the right people to take Nigeria to the next level.

If your party has electable candidates, you won't be queing behind the rejected people from the APC to make an inroad.

Medicine after dead.
Judgement given and it stands

Someone did this will happen

It does not matter. The verdict has been passed.

Obaofaba:
Why not tell NDC to institute the case and let other parties joined the suite as interested parties?

This one has been busted and won't fly.

It can't stand proper scrutiny of the appeal court.

No one knows when the suit was instituted, we only saw the bought judgement.

Are you implying that no marketable people in NDC except APC rejects?

Iti.

Be like you don over done

The court should not allow itself to be used by political prostitutes.

That judgement was a miscarriage of justice.

It must not stand.

Nigeria democracy must be strengthened by making laws that prohibit olosoism in politics.

The question is, when was the case taken to court?

When was it argued?

Who initiated the suit and was he in anyway affected?

You can't just appear from nowhere with judgment without following the due process.

The appeal court will strike it out.

ratcock:
These ones have been compromised
It didn’t take long before they infiltrated their camp

Can you prove that their NWC actually instituted the lawsuit against INEC?

Politicstoday:
the judgement has been passed, nothing can stop it. We await when Inec appeal the judgement. Inec will be disgrace in the appeal court and supreme court of justice.

Who'll represent the them since the party has denied involvement?

ratcock:
These ones have been compromised
It didn’t take long before they infiltrated their camp

Compromised like that Nafiu Bala Gombe of ADC who also recanted after giving his okay to David Mark acquisition of the party, since Tinubu blocked ADA party.

Mrexcell:
So will this public disclaimer now invalidate the existing court judgment?

It won't until no one shows us to represent them at appeal court if INEC appeals the judgement.

Mrexcell:
So will this public disclaimer now invalidate the existing court judgment?

Good question.. same thing I thought

I wonder for those very unfortunate fellows.. waiting for members of one party to leave and join them.. wishing for crisis in another party to benefit them!

This is height of stupidity!

Obaofaba:
Wetin consign APC with the party claiming it was impersonated?

This confirms that APC is filled with the right people to take Nigeria to the next level.

If your party has electable candidates, you won't be queing behind the rejected people from the APC to make an inroad.

Validated:
Op, go and tell Wike and Tinubu that the train has left the station. The court has ruled, so let the leadership of Youth Party go to court.

Are you being ignorance of the law or you're intentionally showing ignorance?

Only a registered political party has the right to institute a lawsuit against INEC and it must be their leadership. Now that the party has claimed not being involved, don't you think next court say appeal court will throw the case away because they won't have a legally backed group to represent them? Chai!

MossLuv:
Money have changed hands!

Money saved from subsidy removal that hiked petrol price instead of crashing it

The level of Tinubu’s desperation and wickedness is astounding and unrivalled.

"I know of States that have received over 500 billion Naira from the Federal Government as palliative, but I have never received anything.

I think the reason I don't get it is because I'm not in APC.

-Dauda Lawal, Zamfara State Governor pic.twitter.com/QvfR8olibA

— Arewa Source (@Arewa_Source) February 17, 2026