By Our Correspondent

As political parties are about to round up their primaries in compliance with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s timetable for 2027 election,a Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified key aspects of the timetable and schedule of activities released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general elections, ruling that the electoral body acted beyond its powers by shortening timelines expressly provided under the Electoral Act, 2026.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice M. G. Umar held that INEC could not lawfully abridge statutory timelines relating to party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, withdrawal and replacement of candidates, publication of final candidates’ lists, and campaign periods.

The ruling followed a suit filed by the Youth Party challenging portions of INEC’s revised election timetable for the 2027 polls.

A Certified True Copy of the judgment, obtained by our correspondent on Thursday, showed that the court declared several deadlines fixed by the commission inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, arose after INEC released a revised timetable directing political parties to conduct primaries within a compressed period ahead of the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly elections scheduled for February and March 2027.

The commission had also fixed deadlines for submission of candidates’ particulars, replacement of candidates, publication of final lists and termination of campaigns earlier than the timelines prescribed by law.

However, Justice Umar ruled that while INEC possesses powers to monitor party primaries and receive notices from political parties, it lacks the authority to alter or reduce timelines expressly stipulated in the Electoral Act.

The court specifically held that Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act mandates political parties to submit particulars of candidates not later than 120 days before an election, stressing that INEC could not validly shorten that period through administrative guidelines or election timetables.

The judge further ruled that Section 31 of the Act permits political parties to withdraw and replace candidates up to 90 days before an election, declaring unlawful any attempt by the commission to impose earlier deadlines.

Justice Umar also faulted INEC’s decision to publish final lists of candidates earlier than the statutory minimum period of 60 days before elections.

On campaign activities, the court ruled that the commission could not direct political parties to end campaigns two days before elections since the Electoral Act already provides the legal framework governing campaign periods.

The court also clarified that timelines fixed by INEC for submission of membership registers for party primaries would not apply where political parties are conducting fresh primaries to replace candidates who voluntarily withdrew from races.

Consequently, the judge set aside the affected portions of INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, declaring that the disputed timelines were “inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.”

The Youth Party had argued before the court that INEC unlawfully sought to curtail statutory rights granted to political parties under the Electoral Act through the revised timetable.

Counsel to the plaintiff, J. O. Olotu, urged the court to void the disputed provisions, while counsel to INEC, Sarafa Yusuf, asked the court to dismiss the suit.

The judgment is expected to compel INEC to review aspects of the 2027 election timetable and align them with the provisions of the Electoral Act ahead of preparations for the next general elections.

By Our Correspondent

A three-floor building still under construction gave way in Abuja’s Gudu District on Saturday morning, leaving at least five people dead and several others hurt. Rescue crews are still working at the site where more victims are believed to be trapped beneath the debris.

A Victims of the collapse building

The collapse happened around 8:30am behind Gudu Market while workers were on site.

Nkechi Isa, Head of Public Affairs at the Federal Emergency Management Department, confirmed the incident and said operations to locate and free those trapped are ongoing.

“Search and rescue operations are ongoing as emergency responders battle to rescue more persons trapped in the rubble of a collapsed three storey building at the Gudu District in the FCT,” Isa said.

So far, 16 people have been pulled from the wreckage. Of those, 11 were moved to Federal Medical Centre Abuja, Asokoro District Hospital, and Maitama Hospital for treatment. Isa added that five others did not survive the collapse.

Agencies on ground include the FCT Emergency Management Agency, Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, FCT Police Command, Nigerian Army, Federal Road Safety Corps, plus medical teams and other support units.

In a separate update, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, posted that the structure fell in the Durumi 3 area near Gudu Market. He reported five fatalities and 10 people rescued alive as of his statement.

Olayinka also said Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat, was at the scene. She conveyed that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had ordered free medical care for all casualties.

Firefighters, health workers, security personnel, and local volunteers are taking part in the rescue effort while residents gather nearby, waiting for news.

Officials say more details will follow as the operation continues.

By George Mgbeleke

Frontline pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has declared strong support for the political aspirations of fearless activist and democracy advocate Aisha Yesufu, and Dr. Constance Ikokwu, former Arise programme presenter, journalist, alongside other credible journalists and civic actors seeking elective positions in the 2027 general elections.

Dr Constance Ikokwu

HURIWA states that Nigeria stands at a decisive democratic crossroads where citizens must begin to reward competence, integrity, courage, patriotism, and sustained selfless service with political responsibility. HURIWA insists that only credible Nigerians with proven records of public service should be entrusted with legislative and executive authority.

HURIWA describes Aisha Yesufu’s transition from civic activism into partisan politics as a bold and progressive democratic development. According to HURIWA, her decision reflects the natural evolution of civic engagement in a system where advocacy must increasingly translate into direct participation in governance.

For years, HURIWA notes, Aisha Yesufu has remained one of Nigeria’s most consistent voices against injustice, corruption, abuse of power, and governance failure. The association maintains that individuals who have risked comfort and safety to defend the Nigerian people deserve a seat at the decision-making table.

HURIWA further extends its position to include respected journalists and civic actors, including Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, who has declared her intention to contest for the House of Representatives seat for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency. HURIWA commends her decision as part of a growing movement of professionals stepping forward to contribute directly to national development.

HURIWA particularly praised Dr. Ikokwu’s longstanding milestones as an excellent journalist who has successfully utilised her prominent positions in some of the most prominent media organisations such as Thisday newspaper and Arise global television network to speak for the promotion, protection and advancements of human rights. She has spoken and written extensively to canvass women and youths empowerment just as she is a consistent advocate of national harmony and peace building in Nigeria.

The group urges political parties across Nigeria to resist the temptation of recycling discredited political actors and instead open their platforms to credible citizens with integrity, intellectual capacity, and a deep understanding of governance and human rights.

HURIWA stresses that Nigeria’s democracy will only achieve meaningful progress when principled individuals, reform-minded professionals, and courageous advocates are actively supported to contest and occupy elective offices.

The association reiterates its full solidarity with all credible aspirants and expresses confidence that Nigerians are increasingly prepared to support leadership based on merit, accountability, and service rather than empty political rhetoric.