CUPP urges INEC to obey court ruling on election timetable as PDP concludes Katsina senatorial primaries

The Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to comply with the Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice M.G. Umar, which nullified parts of the commission’s timetable for political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

CUPP said the ruling has significantly altered the electoral landscape and expanded the democratic space for political parties and aspirants.

In a statement signed by its Acting National Chairman, Chief Peter Ameh, the coalition called on INEC to immediately review and adjust its timetable in line with the court’s decision.

According to CUPP, the judgment broadened the democratic framework by granting political parties greater flexibility in handling their internal affairs.

DAILY POST reports that key aspects of the ruling include allowing politicians who lost party primaries to defect to another party and still be validly substituted as candidates, nullifying the 21-day requirement for party registration, exempting substitution primaries from strict Electoral Act deadlines, and affirming that INEC cannot impose dates for internal party activities or unilaterally reduce submission and publication periods.

“We commend the Federal High Court for this forward-thinking and constitutionally aligned ruling. INEC must promptly comply with this decision and adjust its timetable accordingly.

“Any move to appeal this ruling will only lead to unnecessary confusion, diminish public trust, and compromise the integrity of the 2027 general elections,” Ameh stated.

He further disclosed that 14 political parties had agreed to announce extended election timetables to accommodate new defectors and promote a more inclusive nomination process in line with the court judgment.

The coalition maintained that the ruling would strengthen internal democracy, encourage party independence, and protect the rights of aspirants and candidates.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Katsina State has concluded its senatorial primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, producing candidates for the state’s three senatorial districts.

At the end of the exercise, Nura Khalil, the 2023 governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, emerged as the PDP candidate for Katsina South Senatorial District.

Similarly, Hon. Aliyu Abdulmumini Abdullahi secured the party’s ticket for Daura Senatorial District, while Hon. Hamisu Gambo emerged as the PDP candidate for Katsina Central Senatorial District.

The primaries were conducted simultaneously across the three senatorial zones under the supervision of INEC officials, party leaders, and delegates from the affected local government areas.

Speaking after his emergence, Khalil thanked party leaders and delegates for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to strengthen the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.

Also reacting, Gambo promised inclusive representation and intensified grassroots mobilisation to ensure the PDP’s victory in the coming polls, adding that the party remains committed to tackling insecurity, unemployment, and economic hardship in the state.

The PDP governorship aspirant, Senator Yakubu Lado, urged party members to mobilise massively and defend their votes during the elections.

Earlier, the Katsina State PDP Chairman, Hon. Nura Amadi Kurfi, said the party was determined to reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2027, calling on members to remain united ahead of the polls.