The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to bar political parties that fail to comply with Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 from fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections.
In a letter dated October 9, signed by National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, and released to journalists on Friday, the APC called on INEC to enforce the Supreme Court’s September 24 judgment in the case of INEC v Zenith Labour Party.
The party asked the commission to verify whether political parties submitted their digital membership registers at least 21 days before their primaries, congresses and conventions, and to apply the legal consequences of any non-compliance.
According to the letter, the Supreme Court judgment affirmed the validity of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026.
It set aside a Court of Appeal ruling that had nullified Sections 77(5) to (7) and Section 84(2), along with related provisions in INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 elections.
Section 77(4) requires each political party to make its membership register available to INEC not later than 21 days before the date fixed for primaries, congresses or conventions.
Section 77(5) states that only members whose names appear in the register are eligible to vote or be voted for in those exercises.Section 77(6) prohibits parties from using any register other than the one submitted to the commission.
The Supreme Court held that the practical effect of Section 77(7) is that a party which fails to submit its digital membership register within the prescribed period may be barred from fielding candidates in the general election.
The APC said the apex court affirmed that compliance with these requirements is mandatory and aimed at promoting internal democracy and transparent party elections. It stressed that parties must submit their registers on time and restrict participation to listed members.
The letter noted that the Supreme Court relied on Section 228(a) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to make laws ensuring internal democracy within political parties, including rules for primaries, congresses and conventions.
The APC argued that while parties have the authority to nominate candidates, they must follow legally prescribed procedures.
It added that INEC had given parties sufficient time to submit their registers and was constitutionally bound to enforce the judgment as a party to the case, citing Section 287(1) of the Constitution.
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