2027: Court opens weekend gates for election battles

The Federal High Court of Nigeria has directed its registries across the country to open on weekends and public holidays for the filing of pre-election matters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Registrar of the court, Yahaya Shafa.

According to the statement, the decision became necessary because of the limited constitutional and statutory timelines for filing and determining pre-election cases.

The court said registries in all divisions would now open between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on weekends and public holidays.

It, however, said the arrangement would apply strictly to the filing of pre-election matters only.

“The Federal High Court of Nigeria formally notifies all legal practitioners that Registries in all Divisions of the Federal High Court would be open between 10:00am and 2:00pm Weekends and Public Holidays for Filing of Pre-Election Matters Only,” the statement said.

“This has become expedient to meet up with the limited time frame for filing Pre-election matters.”

The directive comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, with several parties already conducting primaries for governorship, National Assembly and state assembly positions.