The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to announce its decision on the fate of candidates of political parties affected by the recent Supreme Court judgement on party primaries. The judgement, which affirmed the validity of sections 77 and 84 of the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), has generated mixed reactions over the eligibility of some candidates. INEC chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, will address a world press conference today to clarify issues agitating the minds of people, especially the fate of candidates in respect to the Supreme Court judgement.
The Supreme Court judgement has raised concerns over the eligibility of some candidates who crossed over to new parties after their attempts to secure tickets of parties they were originally associated with failed. One of such candidates is Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, who defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State. There are fears over his fate due to the timing of his defection, with some arguing that he was not on the PDP's register at the time of the primary election.
However, a chieftain of the PDP in Gombe State said the Supreme Court judgement only affirmed the constitutionality of the sections, but did not make any factual finding that Pantami was not on the register. He also noted that a Federal High Court judgement had nullified the earlier primary election conducted on May 26 and ordered a fresh one, which was conducted on September 29. At the time of the new primary election, Pantami had spent about 156 days in the PDP, making the Supreme Court judgement not binding on him.
In Niger State, there are fresh concerns over the fate of Muhammad Nami, the PDP governorship candidate. A constitutional lawyer, Barrister Abdulmumin Jibril Abdullahi, said the judgement exposes Nami's PDP candidacy to legal scrutiny if evidence establishes that his name was not contained in the PDP membership register submitted to INEC within the period prescribed by law. APC supporters allege that Nami was an APC senatorial aspirant in 2026 before his nomination as the PDP's Niger governorship candidate on August 29, 2026.
The judgement has also generated mixed reactions over the candidacy of former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, in Nasarawa State. Adamu substituted the SDP governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, Adamu Angba, after the latter withdrew from the race. However, supporters of the ex-IGP argue that he was not a party to the suit and that the court made no consequential order regarding his participation in the election.
INEC's official timetable provides for the publication of the final list of candidates for the Presidential and National Assembly elections not later than September 12, while the governorship and state Assembly final list is scheduled for October 10, 2026. Section 77 of the 2026 Electoral Act states that each political party shall make its membership register available to INEC not later than 21 days before the date fixed for the party primaries, congresses or conventions.
The outcome of today's INEC press conference is expected to provide clarity on the fate of candidates like Pantami, Nami, and Adamu. The commission's decision will have a significant impact on the 2027 general elections, as it will determine the eligibility of candidates who have been embroiled in controversies over their party affiliations. Key stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the commission's position on the matter.
Key points
- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will today announce its decision on the fate of candidates of political parties affected by the recent Supreme Court judgement on party primaries.
- The judgement has raised concerns over the eligibility of some candidates who crossed over to new parties after their attempts to secure tickets of parties they were originally associated with failed.
- The outcome of today's INEC press conference will have a significant impact on the 2027 general elections, as it will determine the eligibility of candidates who have been embroiled in controversies over their party affiliations.
