Gbenga Hashim Praises Court for Nullifying INEC Timetable

Gbenga Hashim, a former presidential candidate, praised Justice M.G. Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja for nullifying a portion of the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) timetable for the 2027 elections.

Hashim described the judgment as a victory for the rule of law and constitutional order, highlighting the court's role in checking administrative overreach and reaffirming the supremacy of the Electoral Act of 2026. The court ruled that INEC lacked the legal authority to impose restrictions on the timeline for political parties to conduct primary elections, which was found inconsistent with statutory provisions regarding candidate submissions and withdrawals.

Hashim urged INEC to comply fully with the judgment to ensure future electoral guidelines adhere strictly to legal provisions. While the official court documents have not yet been publicly released, INEC has not issued an official response to the ruling.

Hashim had previously warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against actions that could undermine the Electoral Act.