Human rights lawyer and political commentator Deji Adeyanju has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to immediately comply with the recent Supreme Court judgment on the Electoral Act. Adeyanju stated that INEC is constitutionally obligated to enforce the decision of the Supreme Court in accordance with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. This provision requires all authorities and persons to give effect to decisions of the Supreme Court.
Adeyanju called on INEC to remove from its official portal the names of candidates of political parties affected by the judgment. He stressed that compliance should not be selective or delayed. According to him, the names of all candidates affected by the judgment should be removed from INEC's official portal as part of the steps required to give effect to the Supreme Court's decision. Adeyanju maintained that INEC's implementation of the court's decision should be guided by the constitutional requirement for strict enforcement of Supreme Court judgments.
The Supreme Court recently unanimously allowed INEC's appeal and restored Sections 77(5), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which had earlier been invalidated by the Court of Appeal. A seven-member Supreme Court panel made this decision. The Electoral Act's provisions have been subject to interpretation and application following the Supreme Court's recent decision.
Adeyanju urged INEC to take immediate steps to implement the court's orders in full. He also called on the commission to ensure that all necessary administrative actions were taken to achieve full compliance with the judgment. INEC's official records should accurately reflect the effect of the judgment, Adeyanju added. He emphasized that the commission should act without further delay.
The call comes amid developments surrounding the interpretation and application of provisions of the Electoral Act. INEC's compliance with the Supreme Court judgment is being closely watched. The commission's actions will have implications for the country's electoral process.
Adeyanju's statement is a significant development in the implementation of the Supreme Court's judgment on the Electoral Act. The judgment has far-reaching implications for Nigeria's electoral process. INEC's response to Adeyanju's call will be crucial in determining the next steps.
The Supreme Court's decision to restore Sections 77(5), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026 has significant implications for the country's electoral process. INEC's compliance with the judgment will be a crucial step in upholding the rule of law and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
Key points
- Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju urges INEC to comply with Supreme Court judgment on Electoral Act
- INEC must remove names of candidates affected by judgment from official portal
- Supreme Court restored Sections 77(5), 77(7) and 84(2) of Electoral Act 2026
