The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately enforce a Supreme Court judgment on political party membership registers, insisting that compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 is mandatory ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a letter dated October 9, 2026, addressed to INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, the party called for strict implementation of the court’s decision in INEC v Zenith Labour Party, Suit No. SC/CV/495/2026, delivered on September 24, 2026.
The letter was signed by APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
The party argued that INEC, having participated in the case as an appellant, was constitutionally required to give effect to the judgment under Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
According to the APC, the Supreme Court set aside a Court of Appeal order that had nullified Sections 77(5) to 77(7) and Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, as well as Activity Serial No. 2 of INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 general elections.
APC outlines membership register requirements
The party said the ruling affirmed the mandatory requirements of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, which governs the submission and use of membership registers for party primaries, congresses and conventions.
Under Section 77(4), as cited by the APC, political parties are required to submit their membership registers to INEC no later than 21 days before their respective primaries, congresses or conventions.
The party also highlighted provisions stipulating that only members whose names appear on the submitted register may vote or be voted for during internal party elections, while the use of alternative registers is prohibited.
Citing the Supreme Court’s reasoning, the APC said failure to submit a digital membership register within the prescribed period could prevent a political party from fielding candidates where the statutory conditions for that consequence are met.
It maintained that the requirements were intended to strengthen internal party democracy by making primaries and other internal elections fair, transparent and verifiable.
The party also cited Section 228(a) of the Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to make laws regulating political parties, and referred to the Supreme Court’s consideration of the principles outlined in Ardo v Nyako (2014).
APC asks INEC to verify compliance
In its letter, the ruling party asked INEC to verify whether each political party had submitted its digital membership register within the statutory deadline.
It also called on the commission to apply the consequences prescribed by law where non-compliance is established, including excluding parties from fielding candidates where the relevant statutory conditions are satisfied.
The APC further urged INEC to ensure that only members listed in the registers duly submitted to the commission are recognised as eligible to participate in party primaries, congresses and conventions.
Describing compliance as a statutory obligation rather than a matter of discretion, the party warned that failure to enforce the requirements could undermine internal democracy, electoral transparency and the rule of law.
It called on INEC to act promptly in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026, the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Supreme Court’s judgment.
The request comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections, with membership registers expected to play a central role in determining eligibility and participation in internal party elections.
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