The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned the Federal High Court judgment that nullified timelines released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the 2027 general elections.

In a unanimous decision delivered on Thursday by a three-member panel, the appellate court granted INEC’s appeal and set aside the May 20 ruling of the lower court.

The Court held that the trial court erred by failing to adhere to binding legal precedents. It further declared that INEC’s Revised Timetable for the 2027 elections qualifies as subsidiary legislation under the Electoral Act 2026 and therefore carries the same legal weight as the Act itself.

According to the panel, INEC acted within its statutory powers, and all deadlines in the revised timetable are in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.

INEC had approached the appellate court on May 25, filing a notice of appeal with nine grounds and seeking the reversal of the High Court’s judgment.