The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to audit candidates submitted by political parties for the 2027 general elections. The committee, in a letter dated September 30, 2026, urged INEC to disqualify candidates whose names are not contained in the parties' membership registers submitted to the commission. This request was made in light of the Supreme Court's judgment on the validity and constitutionality of Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The Supreme Court's judgment, which was delivered recently, provides clarity on the eligibility of party members to participate in the processes through which candidates are selected for elective offices. The court ruled that only members whose names are contained in a political party's register are eligible to vote or be voted for at the party's primaries, congresses, and conventions. This judgment has significant implications for the 2027 general elections, as it may affect the eligibility of some candidates.
The committee's chairman, Bayo Balogun, noted that INEC had previously expressed reservations about enforcing the provision due to pending judicial proceedings. However, with the Supreme Court's decision, the legal position has now materially changed. Balogun urged INEC to proceed with the implementation of Section 77(4-6) of the Electoral Act, 2026, without further delay. He emphasized that the provision should be given its intended effect in the administration and monitoring of political parties and their electoral activities.
The committee specifically asked INEC to conduct an audit of the candidates presented by all registered political parties for the 2027 elections. The exercise should establish whether the candidates complied with Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act, 2026. Any political party or candidate found to have violated the provision should face disqualification. The committee believes that an early audit will help prevent a fresh wave of post-primary litigation.
The committee's intervention comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections and INEC continues its preparations for the electoral cycle. Compliance with statutory requirements governing party membership and candidate nomination is expected to remain a major issue as the parties finalize their candidates for the presidential, National Assembly, and governorship elections. The 2027 general elections are a significant event in Nigeria's democratic process.
Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026, deals with the internal administration of political parties, including the conduct of party primaries, congresses, and conventions. The provision has attracted legal and political attention because of its implications for the eligibility of party members to participate in the processes through which candidates are selected for elective offices. The committee's request is aimed at ensuring that political parties comply with the law.
The implementation of the Supreme Court's judgment and the committee's request will be crucial in determining the eligibility of candidates for the 2027 general elections. INEC's response to the committee's request will be closely watched, as it may have significant implications for the electoral process. The 2027 general elections are expected to be a major event in Nigeria's democratic process, and the committee's intervention is aimed at ensuring that the process is fair and transparent.
Key points
- The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has urged INEC to audit 2027 election candidates and disqualify those whose names are not in party membership registers.
- The Supreme Court's judgment on Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026, provides clarity on the eligibility of party members to participate in the processes through which candidates are selected for elective offices.
- The committee's request is aimed at ensuring that political parties comply with the law and preventing a fresh wave of post-primary litigation.
