The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce a Supreme Court judgment mandating political parties to use duly submitted membership registers for primaries, congresses and conventions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ruling party made the demand in a letter dated October 9, 2026, addressed to the INEC Chairman and jointly signed by its National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
The party’s request followed a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Suit No. SC/CV/495/2026, which upheld Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 and overturned an earlier Court of Appeal decision that had invalidated parts of the provision.
In the letter, the APC urged INEC to ascertain whether political parties had complied with the statutory requirement to submit their digital membership registers within the stipulated timeframe and apply the appropriate sanctions against defaulters.
The party cited Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before their scheduled primaries, congresses or conventions.
It also referenced Section 77(5), which restricts eligibility to vote or be voted for in such internal elections to members whose names appear in the submitted register.
Similarly, Section 77(6) prohibits parties from using any membership register other than the one officially submitted to the electoral commission.
According to the APC, the Supreme Court’s interpretation established that compliance with these provisions was mandatory and not subject to the discretion of party officials.
The party further argued that Section 77(7) could prevent a political party that failed to submit its digital membership register within the prescribed period from fielding candidates in the general election, where the statutory conditions for that consequence were met.
It maintained that the provisions were designed to strengthen internal democracy, promote transparency and ensure that party primaries and other internal electoral processes could be verified.
The APC also invoked Section 228(a) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to enact laws prescribing guidelines for ensuring internal democracy within political parties.
Citing the Supreme Court’s reliance on Ardo v. Nyako (2014) 10 NWLR (Pt. 1416) 591, the party argued that although political parties retain the authority to nominate candidates, the process must comply with applicable legal requirements rather than be left entirely to the discretion of party officials.
The ruling party further relied on Section 287(1) of the Constitution, which requires the enforcement of Supreme Court decisions throughout the country.
It argued that INEC had a particular obligation to implement the judgment because the commission was a party to the case.
Consequently, the APC asked the electoral body to verify compliance by all political parties, enforce the use of officially submitted membership registers and apply the penalties prescribed by law against parties found to have breached the requirements.
It also urged INEC to prevent political parties from substituting their submitted registers with alternative records or recognising members and candidates who did not satisfy the statutory eligibility requirements.
The party warned that failure to enforce the provisions could undermine internal party democracy, electoral transparency and respect for the rule of law.
“Compliance with Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 is not a matter of discretion but a statutory obligation whose interpretation has been authoritatively addressed by the Supreme Court,” the APC said.
It urged INEC to act promptly and decisively in implementing the judgment as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
