The All Progressives Congress (APC) has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) demanding the enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment on the membership registers of political parties, insisting that only duly registered and validly documented members should be recognised as legitimate party members.
The party is also pressing INEC to enforce the apex court’s ruling that could bar parties from fielding candidates if they fail to submit membership registers on time.
The APC, in a letter dated October 9, 2026, asked the INEC to enforce the September 24 judgment in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party (Suit No. SC/CV/495/2026).
The letter was signed by National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru.
The party urged INEC to verify whether every political party submitted a digital membership register within the statutory window and to impose the consequences prescribed by Section 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026—including preventing noncompliant parties from fielding candidates in the 2027 general election.
Under Section 77(4), parties must make their membership registers available to INEC no later than 21 days before primaries, congresses or conventions, the letter read.
Section 77(5) limits participation in those internal contests to people listed in the submitted register, while Section 77(6) bars parties from using any other register.
The APC argued that the Supreme Court made clear at page 24 of its judgment that the practical effect of Section 77(7) is that a party that misses the deadline may be precluded from sponsoring candidates in the general election.
The Supreme Court affirmed Section 77 of the Electoral Act and set aside a Court of Appeal order that had voided Sections 77(5) through (7) and 84(2), along with Activity Serial Number Two of INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 election.
The party said the ruling was intended to promote internal democracy by ensuring that primaries, congresses and conventions are conducted fairly, transparently and verifiably.
The letter cited the court’s reliance on Section 228(a) of the Constitution and its earlier decision in Ardo v. Nyako (2014) 10 NWLR (Pt. 1416) 591, which held that although parties hold the power to nominate candidates, the nomination procedure is not left to the discretion of party officials.
APC told INEC that, as the appellant in the case, the commission is bound by the judgment.
It invoked Section 287(1) of the Constitution, which requires all authorities and persons to enforce Supreme Court decisions throughout the federation.
“Compliance with section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 is not a matter of discretion but a statutory obligation,” the party wrote, warning that allowing parties to ignore the requirements would undermine internal democracy, electoral transparency and the rule of law.
The demand puts pressure on INEC as parties prepare for the 2027 polls, with the commission already reviewing the implications of the court’s decision after receiving the certified judgment.
