Abuja, FCT – By Prime Brief Media
The Independent National Electoral Commission has filed an appeal against the Federal High Court judgment that nullified its directive requiring political parties to submit their membership registers by 10 May, 2026.
The appeal, lodged at the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday, challenges the ruling by Justice M.G. Umar, who held that the Electoral Act 2026 entitles parties to submit candidate particulars up to 120 days before an election, effectively extending the deadline to September 2026. INEC argues that the judgment misinterprets the Act and undermines the commission's regulatory oversight of political parties.
"The judgment has far-reaching consequences for electoral integrity. We have asked the Court of Appeal to set it aside and to stay its execution pending the determination of the appeal," INEC's legal officer told Prime Brief Media.
The nullification of the May 10 deadline had been celebrated by some political parties, particularly smaller parties, as a reprieve. However, INEC insists that the deadline was a legitimate exercise of its powers to ensure that only parties with verifiable structures participate in elections. The appeal is expected to be heard expeditiously.
Prime Brief Media is closely following political reactions and will provide updates as the situation evolves.
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