Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to investigate what he described as conflicting court rulings that could undermine preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Relatedly, former military head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), called on politicians to conduct their activities without bitterness as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and Allied People’s Movement (APM) demanded credible polls and the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the 2027 general elections

In a statement yesterday entitled ‘Nigerian Judges and Lawyers Should Be Prevented From Sabotaging the 2027 Election’, Falana expressed concern over recent judgments delivered by judges of the Federal High Court on the powers of INEC regarding election timelines.

The senior advocate recalled that last Wednesday, Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court invalidated INEC’s timeline for the conduct of party primaries and nomination of candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

The court also nullified INEC’s May 10 deadline, directing political parties to submit their membership registers and databases as part of the requirements for participation in the polls.

According to him, the court held that the timeframe announced by INEC for political parties to conduct primaries and submit, withdraw, or replace candidates “is inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.”

The suit was filed by the Youth Party against INEC.

He further noted that INEC had appealed the ruling and filed a motion for a stay of execution pending the Court of Appeal’s determination of the appeal.

Falana said the situation became more complicated after another judge of the Federal High Court, Justice James Omotosho, ruled in a separate suit filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) that INEC possesses the constitutional authority to fix timelines for political party primaries and other electoral activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

He argued that the two judgments created uncertainty within the political system.

The legal luminary urged NJC and NBA to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding the judgments in Youth Party v INEC and SDP v INEC, warning that failure to address the issue could threaten the credibility of the 2027 elections.

ABDULSALAMI, after observing the two raka’at Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the Minna Central Eid Prayer Ground in Niger State, said peaceful and rancour-free political activities were essential for credible and successful elections, urging politicians and their supporters to respect other people’s political leanings.

He also appealed to Nigerians to continue praying for peace and security in the country, especially in areas affected by insecurity, stressing the need for divine intervention to complement the efforts of security agencies combating security challenges nationwide.

He stressed that peace remains a fundamental requirement for meaningful progress, urging Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic or religious differences, to continue praying and working for unity, stability and development in the country.

In his remarks, the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago, urged Muslims to use the Eid period to seek forgiveness and pray for a better Nigeria marked by peace and economic prosperity.

Bago expressed optimism about the country’s future, insisting that Nigeria would overcome its challenges through love, mutual respect and collective commitment, while urging citizens to remain hopeful.

IPAC and APM urged governments at all levels to deliver the dividends of democracy to the masses to ease the pain of economic hardship in the country.

IPAC National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle, in a statement yesterday, to mark the Sallah celebration, urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts in the war against terrorism in the country.

Dantalle, who doubles as APM National Chairman, in a separate statement, tasked politicians to shun violence and other electoral malpractices as the country strives to build a decent democratic society that respects the sanctity of the ballot box.