The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately enforce a Supreme Court judgment restoring key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 on political party membership registers, warning that non-compliance could affect parties’ eligibility to field candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Key Highlights
- The APC has asked INEC to enforce the Supreme Court’s September 24, 2026, judgment on party membership registers.
- The ruling restored key provisions of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026.
- Political parties are required to submit digital membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before primaries, congresses or conventions.
- Only members listed in the submitted register are eligible to vote or be voted for in party elections under the restored provisions.
- The APC wants INEC to verify compliance and apply the legal consequences of any violations.
- The judgment has renewed scrutiny of some nominations ahead of the 2027 elections, although it did not name or disqualify individual candidates.
- INEC has yet to issue a detailed public response to the APC’s specific request.
APC Asks INEC to Enforce Supreme Court Judgment
In a letter dated October 9, 2026, addressed to the INEC Chairman, the APC requested full implementation of the Supreme Court’s September 24 ruling in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Suit No. SC/CV/495/2026.
The letter was co-signed by APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda and National Secretary Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru. The party’s position was also outlined in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.
The APC said compliance with the judgment was necessary to strengthen internal party democracy and promote transparency in preparations for the 2027 general elections.
It argued that INEC should ensure that all political parties comply with the legal requirements governing membership registers before conducting their internal elections.
Supreme Court Restores Key Provisions of Electoral Act 2026
The Supreme Court’s decision restored the validity of key provisions of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 after the Court of Appeal had earlier nullified parts of the provisions following a legal challenge by the Zenith Labour Party.
Under the restored provisions, political parties must submit their digital membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before the date scheduled for their primaries, congresses or conventions.
The provisions also restrict participation in party elections to members whose names appear in the register submitted to the commission. Political parties are prohibited from relying on alternative membership registers for those processes.
The apex court linked the requirements to Section 228 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to make laws regulating political parties and promoting internal democracy.
The judgment also highlighted the potential consequences of non-compliance, including the possibility that a party could be prevented from fielding candidates in a general election.
APC Demands Verification and Sanctions for Non-Compliance
In its letter, the APC asked INEC to take several steps to implement the judgment.
The party wants the commission to give immediate effect to the ruling, verify whether political parties submitted their membership registers within the statutory deadline and apply the consequences provided by law where violations are established.
It also urged INEC to ensure that eligibility for party primaries is determined by the membership registers properly submitted to the commission.
The APC cited Section 287(1) of the Constitution, which requires authorities and persons in Nigeria to enforce Supreme Court decisions. It further argued that INEC, having been the appellant in the case, is directly bound by the outcome.
The party maintained that compliance with Section 77 should be treated as a legal obligation rather than a discretionary administrative measure.
2027 Elections: Party Nominations Come Under Scrutiny
The APC’s intervention comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections amid questions about defections, membership records and the eligibility of some nominees.
One nomination attracting scrutiny is that of O.K. Chinda, identified in reports as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State. Questions have been raised about whether his name appeared in the membership register submitted by the party to INEC before its primary.
However, the Supreme Court judgment did not specifically name Chinda or disqualify any individual candidate. Any determination concerning a particular nomination would depend on the relevant facts, applicable law and any subsequent decision by the competent authorities or courts.
Similar questions have reportedly arisen concerning other political nominees. Legal observers have also pointed to uncertainty over how the restored provisions will be applied to primaries that have already taken place.
Read also:
- INEC Warns Parties Over 2027 Candidates Not on Submitted Register as Voter Register Tops 103 Million
- INEC Reviews Supreme Court Judgment on Electoral Act 2026, Candidate Eligibility
- Omo-Agege Insists 2027 Senate Bid Is Alive as INEC Ruling Sparks Membership Register Dispute
Legal Questions Remain Over Primaries Already Conducted
Although the ruling restores a statutory framework for membership-register compliance, questions remain about its practical application across the political landscape.
Issues may arise over whether a party submitted its register on time, whether a particular individual was listed and what legal consequences follow if a breach is established.
The treatment of primaries already concluded could also lead to further legal proceedings, particularly where parties or aspirants dispute the interpretation or application of the requirements.
Any assessment of an individual candidate’s eligibility would therefore need to distinguish the general requirements established by the judgment from the specific circumstances of a particular nomination.
APC Says Compliance Is Necessary for Electoral Transparency
The APC has presented its request as a call for the rule of law and internal party democracy, rather than a partisan measure against particular political opponents.
In its statement, the party said compliance with Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 was a statutory obligation and warned that allowing political parties to disregard the requirements could weaken confidence in the electoral process.
The commission’s response will be important in determining how the ruling is applied uniformly across political parties as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.
As of October 10, 2026, INEC had not issued a detailed public response to the specific letter.
INEC Faces Pressure as 2027 Election Preparations Advance
The APC’s demand places renewed attention on INEC’s responsibility to administer the electoral framework and ensure that political parties meet statutory requirements.
The commission is expected to address questions surrounding register submission, compliance verification and the treatment of alleged violations as the electoral cycle progresses.
How the Supreme Court’s judgment is implemented could influence future party primaries and generate further litigation over nominations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
For now, the central issue is whether INEC will establish and apply a consistent process for verifying compliance with the restored provisions of Section 77.
For more updates on the 2027 elections, follow us on X.
