Party Urges Electoral Commission to Apply Electoral Act Provisions on Membership Registers Ahead of 2027 Elections
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 and compliance with Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026.
The party made the request in a letter dated October 9, 2026, addressed to INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, and signed by APC 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 request followed the Supreme Court’s September 24, 2026, judgment in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Suit No. SC/CV/495/2026, concerning statutory requirements for the submission and use of political parties’ membership registers during primaries, congresses and conventions.
According to the APC, the Supreme Court set aside a Court of Appeal order that had nullified Sections 77(5) to 77(7) and Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, as well as Activity Serial No. 2 of INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 general election.
The party said the ruling affirmed the mandatory nature of Section 77(4), which requires political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC no later than 21 days before their primaries, congresses or conventions.
It also highlighted Sections 77(5) and 77(6), which provide that only members whose names appear on the submitted register are eligible to vote or be voted for in the relevant internal party elections, and prohibit the use of alternative registers.
The APC further cited the Supreme Court’s pronouncement on page 24 of the judgment, stating that the practical effect of Section 77(7) is that a political party that fails to submit its digital membership register within the prescribed period may be barred from fielding candidates.
The ruling party maintained that the provisions were intended to promote internal party democracy by ensuring that primaries, congresses and conventions are conducted fairly, transparently and in a verifiable manner.
It added that the Supreme Court anchored its decision on Section 228(a) of the Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to enact laws aimed at ensuring internal democracy within political parties. The APC also cited the precedent in Ardo v. Nyako (2014).
In its letter, the party asked INEC to verify whether each political party had submitted its digital membership register within the statutory deadline and to apply the consequences of non-compliance in accordance with Section 77(7) and the Supreme Court’s ruling.
It also called on the commission to ensure that only members listed in the duly submitted registers are recognised as eligible to vote or contest in party primaries, congresses and conventions, with no alternative register permitted.
The APC insisted that compliance with Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 was a statutory obligation rather than a matter of discretion.
It warned that allowing political parties to disregard the requirements without applying the penalties provided by law would undermine internal party democracy, electoral transparency and the rule of law.
The party therefore urged INEC to act expeditiously and in accordance with the Electoral Act, the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Supreme Court’s judgment, which it said must be enforced by all authorities and persons across the country.