The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce a Supreme Court judgment that could prevent political parties from fielding candidates in the 2027 elections if they fail to meet statutory requirements for submitting their membership registers.
In a letter dated October 9, 2026, the ruling party asked INEC to verify whether political parties had submitted their digital membership registers within the period prescribed by the Electoral Act 2026 and apply the penalties for non-compliance.
The letter was addressed to INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and signed by APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
The party based its request on the Supreme Court’s judgment of September 24 in INEC v Zenith Labour Party, Suit No. SC/CV/495/2026. The ruling set aside a Court of Appeal order that had nullified provisions governing membership registers and an item in INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 general election.
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Why the membership register matters
Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires every political party to submit its membership register to INEC at least 21 days before its primary election, congress or convention.
Sections 77(5) and 77(6) establish further restrictions. Only members listed in the submitted register may vote or be voted for, and parties cannot substitute another register for the one officially lodged with the commission.
The APC cited Section 77(7), which it said allows a party that fails to submit its digital register within the stipulated period to be barred from presenting candidates.
The potential consequence is significant for the 2027 elections. A party’s failure to satisfy the requirement could affect its ability to nominate candidates, even if it has completed other internal preparations for the polls.
However, exclusion would depend on the applicable statutory conditions and their proper determination. The APC’s letter is a request for enforcement, not evidence that INEC has found any party in breach.
APC demands compliance checks
The ruling party wants INEC to examine each party’s submissions, confirm whether the statutory deadline was met and recognise only members whose names appear on the duly submitted registers.
It maintained that the rules are mandatory, not optional, and are designed to promote internal democracy through transparent and verifiable party primaries.
The APC also relied on Section 228(a) of the Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to legislate on internal party democracy, and cited the Supreme Court’s reference to Ardo v Nyako (2014).
What it means for 2027
The demand places greater attention on the administrative requirements parties must satisfy before presenting candidates for the next general election.
Digital membership records are central to establishing who can participate in party primaries. They can also help limit disputes over membership and eligibility, provided the records are accurate and the rules are applied consistently.
INEC’s response will therefore matter to parties preparing for their primaries, as well as aspirants whose eligibility could depend on the register.
The key question is whether the commission will conduct the requested checks and how it will handle any established breach. Until INEC clarifies its position, no conclusion can be drawn about which parties, if any, could face exclusion from the 2027 contest.
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