INEC Invalidates Primaries Done Afrer May 30
The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared that political party primaries conducted after its May 30 deadline remain invalid for now.
The commission said parties must continue to follow the Electoral Act 2026 until the Court of Appeal decides on its challenge against an earlier court ruling.
INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna explained that the commission’s timetable remains in force pending the outcome of the appeal.
He advised political parties to comply with existing legal provisions to avoid problems with candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 elections.
The dispute began after a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that parts of INEC’s election timetable breached provisions of the Electoral Act.
INEC disagreed with the judgment and immediately filed an appeal, arguing that it acted within its constitutional responsibilities.
Meanwhile, the ADC appeals committee in Kaduna ordered fresh primaries in several constituencies after discovering irregularities in the party’s nomination process.
The committee said the reruns were necessary to protect the credibility of its candidate selection exercise.
