The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has started reviewing a Supreme Court judgment that restored key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. This development has raised concerns about the eligibility of some candidates for the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made this disclosure at a World Press Conference in Abuja. The commission received complaints from political parties, aggrieved aspirants, and National Assembly members regarding the judgment's implications.
The Supreme Court, on September 24, 2026, upheld the constitutionality of sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7), and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026. This judgment also restored INEC's revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 elections. Amupitan stated that INEC only received the certified true copy of the judgment on the day of the press conference and was studying its contents.
The review process comes amid concerns over the political fate of high-profile candidates who changed parties after their former parties had conducted or commenced nomination exercises. Some of those affected include Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kingsley Chinda; Delta Central senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Ovie Omo-Agege; former Cross River State governor and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke; and former Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Victor Ochei.
INEC received complaints from political parties, aggrieved aspirants, and National Assembly members over the judgment's implications. These stakeholders are concerned about the potential impact on the eligibility of certain candidates. Amupitan assured that the commission would carefully review the judgment and determine the next steps.
The Supreme Court judgment was in a case between INEC and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The court's decision affirmed the constitutionality of Section 77, subsections 5 to 7 of the Electoral Act 2026. This development has significant implications for the 2027 general elections, particularly for candidates who changed parties recently.
The INEC chairman emphasized that the commission is still studying the judgment and has not yet taken any concrete steps. He assured stakeholders that INEC would ensure that the electoral process is fair, transparent, and in accordance with the law. The commission's review of the judgment is expected to provide clarity on the eligibility of affected candidates.
The 2027 general elections are approaching, and stakeholders are keenly following developments that could impact the electoral process. INEC's review of the Supreme Court judgment is a crucial step in ensuring that the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner. The commission's actions will have significant implications for the country's democratic process.
Key points
- INEC has commenced a review of the Supreme Court judgment on the Electoral Act 2026.
- The judgment's implications have raised concerns about the eligibility of some candidates for the 2027 general elections.
- INEC received complaints from stakeholders over the judgment's potential impact on the electoral process.
