INEC Sets October 24 Deadline for Political Parties Following Supreme Court Ruling

In a significant development for Nigeria's electoral process, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set a deadline of October 24, 2026, for political parties to notify the commission regarding candidates they believe were improperly excluded from the final roster for the upcoming 2027 governorship elections. This announcement follows a pivotal ruling by the Supreme Court, which underscored the necessity for political parties to adhere to specific regulations outlined in the Electoral Act, 2026.

National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, released a statement after the court's decision, highlighting that the commission's actions were in direct response to the Supreme Court's ruling. The judgment, stemming from the case INEC v. Zenith Labour Party (Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026), was handed down on September 24, 2026, and reversed a previous Court of Appeal ruling that had nullified the requirement for parties to submit membership registers prior to conducting valid primaries.

The Supreme Court's decision emphasized that the provisions concerning membership registers are both constitutional and obligatory for all political parties, thereby reinstating the necessary framework for ensuring a transparent electoral process. Haruna stated, “The Commission, while finalizing the list of candidates for the Governorship election applied the above decision of the Supreme Court and excluded political parties that failed to comply with Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, in relation to fielding of candidates.”

This ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for political parties as they prepare for the governorship elections, compelling them to ensure compliance with electoral regulations to avoid the exclusion of their candidates. As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the parties to see how they respond to this legal mandate.