2027 ELECTIONS: APC DEMANDS EXCLUSION OF PARTIES THAT VIOLATE ELECTORAL LAW

By NaijaParrot October 10, 2026

 ABUJA, NIGERIA — 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prevent political parties that fail to comply with statutory membership-register requirements from fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections. The ruling party made the demand in a letter dated October 9, 2026, addressed to INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, following a Supreme Court judgment affirming key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 governing political party membership registers and internal elections.

APC ASKS INEC TO ENFORCE SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT 

 The letter was signed by APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru. The party called on INEC to enforce the Supreme Court’s September 24 judgment in the case involving the commission and the Zenith Labour Party. According to the APC, the judgment restored the validity of Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which had previously been declared unconstitutional by the Court of Appeal. The party argued that INEC must implement the Supreme Court’s decision and apply the legal consequences prescribed for political parties that fail to meet the requirements of the law. 

 WHAT SECTION 77 OF THE ELECTORAL ACT PROVIDES 

 The APC’s demand centres on Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, which establishes requirements for political party membership registers and participation in internal party elections. The party highlighted three key provisions:

 * Section 77(4): Requires political parties to make their membership registers available to INEC no later than 21 days before their scheduled primaries, congresses or conventions.

 * Section 77(5): Restricts eligibility to vote or be voted for in those internal elections to members whose names appear in the submitted register.

 * Section 77(6): Prohibits political parties from using a different membership register for those purposes. The APC also cited Section 77(7), arguing that a political party that fails to submit its digital membership register within the prescribed period may be prevented from fielding candidates in the general elections. The party urged INEC to verify compliance by all political parties and apply the relevant consequences wherever the statutory conditions for a sanction have been established.  

APC WARNS AGAINST ALTERNATIVE MEMBERSHIP REGISTERS 

 The ruling party also called on INEC to ensure that political parties use only the membership registers formally submitted to the commission. It argued that allowing parties to rely on alternative registers could undermine the transparency and fairness of their primaries, congresses and conventions. The APC maintained that membership records should provide a verifiable basis for determining who is eligible to participate in internal party elections. It further argued that enforcing the requirements would strengthen internal party democracy and ensure that candidate selection follows established legal procedures.

 SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT AT THE CENTRE OF THE DISPUTE 

 The Supreme Court’s September 24 judgment overturned the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision invalidating the disputed provisions and aspects of INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 elections. In its letter, the APC said the ruling clarified the legal consequences of failing to comply with the membership-register requirements. The party also invoked Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires Supreme Court decisions to be enforced throughout Nigeria by relevant authorities and persons. It argued that INEC, having been a party to the case, was obligated to implement the judgment in carrying out its electoral responsibilities. WHAT THE 

DEVELOPMENT MEANS FOR POLITICAL PARTIES

 The APC’s request places renewed attention on compliance with electoral legislation ahead of the 2027 general elections. Political parties will need to ensure that their membership records are accurate, submitted within the statutory timeframe and used in accordance with the law. The possible exclusion of a party from fielding candidates would have significant consequences for its participation in the elections. However, such a sanction would depend on whether the relevant legal conditions had been established and how the law applies to the circumstances. The APC’s letter is a demand for enforcement; it does not, by itself, establish that any particular opposition party has violated the law or has been disqualified from the 2027 elections. INEC’s assessment of compliance and any subsequent official decisions will therefore be important in determining the practical consequences of the Supreme Court judgment.

 INEC’S NEXT STEPS 

 The electoral commission faces the task of applying the judgment and the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act to political parties’ membership registers. INEC has previously indicated that parties that fail to comply with the statutory requirements could be barred from fielding candidates, although the commission has said it would examine the certified judgment and clarify its position. The APC has called for prompt enforcement, insisting that compliance with the law should not be treated as optional. As preparations for the 2027 elections continue, the issue is likely to remain central to discussions about party primaries, candidate eligibility and the enforcement of electoral regulations. 

 NaijaParrot will continue to monitor INEC’s response and report verified developments concerning the Electoral Act 2026 and the 2027 general elections. 

 Hear It First! Hear It True!