The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce a Supreme Court judgment on political party membership registers, arguing that compliance is necessary to protect the integrity of internal party elections ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

In a letter dated October 9, 2026, addressed to the INEC chairman, the ruling party called on the electoral commission to verify whether political parties are complying with the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and apply the consequences of any established violations.

Key Facts

• The APC wants INEC to enforce the Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026.
• The judgment concerns Sections 77 and 84 of the Electoral Act 2026, as described in the supplied report.
• The APC says political parties must submit their membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before primaries, congresses and conventions.
• The party wants INEC to verify compliance and apply the law without fear or favour.
• INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan says the commission is reviewing the judgment before announcing its next action.
• The ruling has raised questions about the eligibility of some candidates ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly those who changed parties after failing to secure tickets from their former parties.

What the APC Wants INEC to Do

The APC’s demand centres on the requirement for political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before conducting primaries, congresses and conventions.

According to the party, only individuals whose names appear on the duly submitted register are eligible to vote or be voted for during these internal party processes.

The APC argued that the Supreme Court judgment reaffirmed the validity of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 and should therefore be implemented by the electoral commission.

The letter was signed by APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda and National Secretary Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru.

The party called on INEC to examine the compliance records of political parties and enforce the statutory consequences wherever violations are established.

It also linked the demand to preparations for the 2027 general elections, maintaining that transparent internal party processes and adherence to the rule of law are important to credible elections.

INEC Says It Is Reviewing the Supreme Court Judgment

While the APC is calling for immediate enforcement, INEC has said it is still examining the implications of the Supreme Court ruling.

The commission’s position was disclosed by its chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, during a press conference on INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan said the commission had received the certified true copy of the judgment on Tuesday and was reviewing its provisions before deciding on the appropriate action.

He indicated that INEC would announce its position after completing the review.

The commission’s response means that, based on the information provided in the original report, its final course of action had not yet been announced.

What the Electoral Act Provisions Mean for Party Primaries

The dispute concerns the membership records political parties are required to submit to INEC and the eligibility of members participating in internal party elections.

As explained in the supplied report, Section 77 establishes the requirement for political parties to submit their membership registers at least 21 days before primaries, congresses and conventions. The report also states that the Supreme Court affirmed the validity of Sections 77 and 84 of the Electoral Act 2026, as amended.

The membership-register requirement is significant because party primaries determine which candidates receive their parties’ nominations for elections.

The APC’s position is that INEC should ensure political parties comply with the statutory requirements and apply the consequences of any proven breach.

However, the precise action INEC intends to take following its review remains unannounced in the supplied report. The article does not identify specific candidates who have been ruled ineligible under the judgment.

Why the Ruling Has Raised Questions About the 2027 Elections

The Supreme Court judgment has created uncertainty over the status of some candidates who moved to new political parties after failing to obtain tickets from the parties with which they were previously associated.

The issue is relevant to the 2027 general elections because party nominations and eligibility requirements are central to the process of selecting candidates.

The supplied report does not establish the identities of the candidates potentially affected or confirm that any particular aspirant has been disqualified. Instead, it describes a broader concern about how the ruling could affect candidate eligibility.

INEC’s review is therefore an important next procedural step. The commission has said it will announce appropriate action when its examination of the certified judgment is complete.

What Happens Next?

Attention now turns to the outcome of INEC’s review of the Supreme Court judgment and any subsequent announcement by the commission.

The APC has called for compliance checks across political parties and enforcement of the relevant statutory requirements. INEC, meanwhile, has said it is examining the judgment before determining and communicating its next steps.

The implications for party primaries and candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections will depend on the commission’s response and the application of the relevant legal provisions.

For now, the key development is the difference between the APC’s demand for immediate enforcement and INEC’s stated position that its review is ongoing. The commission’s forthcoming announcement is expected to clarify its approach to the judgment and the membership-register requirements.