The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately enforce a Supreme Court judgment on political party membership registers, warning that parties that fail to meet statutory requirements could be barred from fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections.
The ruling party made the request in a letter dated October 9, 2026, addressed to INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, and signed by its National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
The APC argued that INEC, having been the appellant in the case, was constitutionally obligated to give effect to the judgment under Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The development followed the Supreme Court’s judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, in INEC v Zenith Labour Party, Suit No. SC/CV/495/2026, which concerned statutory requirements governing the submission and use of political parties’ membership registers for primaries, congresses and conventions.
According to the APC, the apex court set aside a Court of Appeal decision that had nullified Sections 77(5) to 77(7) and Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, as well as Activity Serial Number Two of INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 general elections. The ruling affirmed the validity of the provisions governing party membership registers.
The party said Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act requires every political party to submit its membership register to INEC at least 21 days before its scheduled primary, congress or convention.
It added that Section 77(5) restricts voting and eligibility to be voted for in party primaries to members whose names appear in the submitted register, while Section 77(6) prohibits the use of any alternative register.
The APC also cited the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Section 77(7), arguing that a political party that fails to submit its digital membership register within the stipulated period could be prevented from fielding candidates.
In the letter, the party asked INEC to verify whether political parties had complied with the statutory deadline for submitting their digital membership registers and apply the consequences prescribed by law where violations were established.
It further urged the commission to ensure that only members listed in the duly submitted registers were recognised as eligible to vote or contest during the relevant internal party elections.
The APC maintained that compliance with Section 77 was a statutory obligation rather than a matter of discretion, arguing that failure to enforce the requirements would undermine internal party democracy, electoral transparency and the rule of law.
The party said the Supreme Court had anchored its decision on Section 228(a) of the Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to enact laws promoting internal democracy within political parties. It also referenced the precedent established in Ardo v Nyako (2014).
The letter stated: “Allowing political parties to disregard the prescribed statutory requirements without the application of the consequences stipulated by law would undermine the objectives of internal party democracy, electoral transparency and the rule of law.”
The APC urged INEC to act promptly in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026, the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Supreme Court’s judgment.
The request comes as political parties prepare for their primaries and other internal processes ahead of the 2027 general elections, placing greater focus on compliance with statutory requirements governing membership registers.
