The 2027 Nigerian elections may be heading towards a crisis similar to the 2019 Zamfara experience, according to Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Supreme Court recently restored provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 dealing with party membership registers and nominations. This has raised concerns about the eligibility of dozens of candidates, including prominent figures such as Donald Duke, Isah Pantami, Kingsley Chinda, and Mohammed Adamu.
The affected candidates are running for various positions, including president and governorship, under different parties. According to INEC's website, 22 political parties have submitted their membership registers. However, it is unclear whether the names of these candidates are on the registers, as this information is only known by the commission and the parties that submitted them. Haruna suggested that parties whose candidates secured tickets after the submission deadline for membership registers may not be allowed to replace their candidates.
The Zamfara episode, which Haruna cited as a precedent, occurred in 2019 when the Supreme Court disqualified the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the electoral contest. The court ruled that the party had failed to conduct valid primaries. The disqualification had significant consequences, as every APC candidate in the state was affected, and the votes cast for the party were treated as wasted votes. A similar situation occurred in Rivers State, where the Supreme Court disqualified all APC candidates in 2019.
The Supreme Court has previously demonstrated its independence in electoral matters, as seen in the Rivers, Zamfara, and Bayelsa cases. However, the current controversy raises questions about the court's willingness to exercise the same independence when the consequences fall on the governing party. The court has already spoken on the law, restoring Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026.
The next test is whether INEC will apply the law uniformly to all parties, including the ruling APC, the PDP, and smaller parties. Additionally, the courts will need to scrutinize the evidence without fear or favour. The stakes are high, with hundreds of candidates potentially affected by the ruling. INEC's actions will be closely watched, as the commission's decisions will have far-reaching consequences for the 2027 elections.
The controversy highlights the importance of party membership registers and nominations in the electoral process. The submission of these registers is a critical step in ensuring the legitimacy of candidates. However, the current situation has created uncertainty, and it remains to be seen how the courts and INEC will resolve the issue.
The outcome of this controversy will have significant implications for Nigerian politics. If the Supreme Court's ruling is enforced, it could lead to a major shake-up in the electoral landscape. The affected candidates will need to find alternative means of participating in the elections or risk being excluded. Ultimately, the decision will depend on the court's interpretation of the Electoral Act 2026 and INEC's actions in enforcing the law.
Key points
- The Supreme Court's ruling on the Electoral Act 2026 has sparked concerns over candidate eligibility.
- Dozens of candidates, including prominent figures, may be affected by the ruling.
- The controversy raises questions about the court's willingness to exercise independence when the consequences fall on the governing party.
