APC URGES INEC TO ENFORCE SUPREME COURT RULING ON PARTY MEMBERSHIP REGISTERS AHEAD OF 2027 ELECTIONS
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the electoral body to enforce a recent Supreme Court judgment on political party membership registers ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
In a letter dated Friday, October 9, 2026, and addressed to the INEC Chairman, the ruling party called on the commission to verify whether all registered political parties had complied with the legal requirements governing the submission and use of membership registers for primaries, congresses and conventions.
The letter was jointly signed by APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru. The party’s position was also conveyed in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.
The APC’s demand follows a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Suit No. SC/CV/495/2026. The ruling upheld key provisions of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 concerning political parties’ membership registers and participation in internal elections.
According to the APC, the judgment reaffirmed that political parties must submit their digital membership registers to INEC no later than 21 days before their scheduled primaries, congresses or conventions.
The party also cited Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act, which provides that only members whose names appear in the duly submitted register are eligible to vote or be voted for during those internal party processes.
Section 77(6), as cited by the APC, prohibits political parties from using a different membership register for their primaries, congresses and conventions instead of the register submitted to the electoral commission.
The ruling party argued that the Supreme Court’s decision had settled the legal position on the requirements and consequences associated with party membership registers. It therefore called on INEC to take immediate steps to ensure that political parties comply with the provisions of the law.
The APC further urged the commission to apply the statutory consequences where violations are established. It specifically referred to Section 77(7), which it said could prevent a political party that failed to submit its digital membership register within the required period from fielding candidates in the general elections.
In making its case, the party invoked Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which requires decisions of the Supreme Court to be enforced by authorities and persons throughout the country. The APC argued that INEC, having been a party to the litigation, was obligated to give effect to the judgment.
The party maintained that enforcing the ruling was necessary to promote internal democracy, transparency and compliance with electoral laws. It said political parties should conduct their internal selection processes in accordance with the statutory rules governing membership records and candidate nominations.
The APC also referred to the constitutional authority of the National Assembly to enact laws regulating internal party democracy, including rules governing primaries, congresses and conventions.
The Supreme Court judgment followed a legal dispute over provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 that regulate membership registers and eligibility to participate in party elections. Earlier court decisions had invalidated some of the provisions, but the Supreme Court subsequently set aside the Court of Appeal decision and upheld the relevant requirements.
INEC had also publicly addressed the implications of the judgment. On October 8, the commission said parties that failed to meet the statutory membership-register requirements could be prevented from fielding candidates in the 2027 elections. The commission’s position underscores the potential consequences for parties and aspirants whose eligibility may be affected by compliance reviews.
The controversy comes as political parties prepare for candidate selection and internal elections ahead of the 2027 general polls. The enforcement of the membership-register provisions could affect the participation of aspirants and the ability of parties to nominate candidates where legal requirements have not been met.
The APC has called on INEC to act promptly and apply the law consistently to all registered political parties. Its demand places renewed focus on the commission’s role in monitoring party activities and ensuring that electoral processes comply with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and binding court decisions.
INEC’s enforcement of the judgment is expected to remain an important issue as preparations for the 2027 elections continue, particularly as political parties review their membership records and nomination procedures.
Street News Reporters will continue to monitor developments concerning the Supreme Court judgment, INEC’s enforcement measures and their implications for political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
