The Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions, 2026 were published by the Federal High Court of Nigeria with the objective of facilitating the prompt, orderly, and equitable resolution of pre-election issues nationwide.
A press statement was issued by Dr Catherine Oby Christopher, the Director of Information of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, stating that the Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, of the Federal High Court, has approved the new Practice Directions.
According to the statement, the new rules aim to improve the way pre-election concerns are handled in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) of 1999, and other relevant legislation.
The update clarified that the 2022 Practice Directions have been officially superseded by the 2026 Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions, thus the new guidelines will govern how pre-election issues are handled in court.
A copy of the new Practice Directions has been made accessible to all stakeholders, including members of the Bar, political parties, litigants, and the general public. The court invited everyone to familiarise themselves with them.