2027: FHC issues new pre-election practice directions

By Vivian Okejeme

Ahead of the 2027 general elections ,the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, has issued the FHC (Pre-Election) Practice Directions(Amendment), 2026.
The new practice directions amended the initial Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions, 2026, which came into effect from Friday, 26th June, 2026.
This is contained in a statement signed on Wednesday by the Director of Information of the Court, Dr Catherine Oby Christopher.
The statement said that the amended Practice Directions was made pursuant to Sections 254 and 285(9), (10) and (14) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
It is also in line with sections 29(5) and 88(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and all other powers enabling the Chief Judge to effect the amendment.
The statement reads in part; “In line with the initial Practice Directions, the amendment is intended to enhance the speedy, efficient, and fair determination of pre-election matters in keeping with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)
“ It also aims at enhancing the Electoral Act, 2026, and other applicable laws.
Concluding, it urged lawyers to familiarize themselves with the new law so as to enhance speedy adjudication of political cases that may arise on the 2027 general elections.