The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to take a position on candidates whose nomination processes may have breached provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 following the Supreme Court’s recent judgment.
The Supreme Court on September 24, 2026, restored key provisions of the Electoral Act concerning political party membership registers and the nomination of candidates. The affected provisions include Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2).
The ruling has generated uncertainty among political parties and candidates, particularly those whose nominations took place amid the earlier legal dispute over the provisions.
According to Daily Trust, sources within INEC indicated that the commission is reviewing the implications of the judgment and may take necessary action after its legal department examines the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court ruling.
INEC National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Haruna, confirmed that the commission is awaiting the certified judgment before its legal team reviews the matter and the commissioners subsequently decide on the appropriate position.
The timing is significant because INEC has electoral deadlines to meet. The commission’s timetable provides for the publication of the final list of Presidential and National Assembly candidates by September 12, while the final list for governorship and State Assembly elections is scheduled for October 10, 2026.
The restored provisions require political parties to maintain and submit membership registers to INEC within the prescribed period. They also restrict participation in party primaries and other nomination processes to members contained in the relevant register.
Section 77 further provides consequences for parties that fail to comply with the statutory membership-register requirements.
However, the Supreme Court judgment itself did not publicly name individual candidates for disqualification. Reports indicate that questions surrounding particular candidates will depend on the specific circumstances of their nomination processes and any subsequent legal proceedings.
Candidates and political parties are therefore awaiting INEC’s formal position as the commission studies the full judgment and its implications for preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
