The Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Prince Adebayo Balogun, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to carry out an audit of the list of candidates submitted by the 22 registered political parties. This request comes after the Supreme Court's judgment validating the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. Balogun asked INEC to ensure that only candidates whose names are contained in the register of their respective political parties are eligible to vote and be voted for in party primaries, congresses, and conventions.
In a letter dated September 30, 2026, Balogun drew INEC's attention to the provisions of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 and sought clarification and appropriate action towards ensuring compliance by all registered political parties. He referenced INEC's response to a previous letter dated July 26, 2026, in which the Commission expressed concerns arising from judicial pronouncements and ongoing judicial proceedings concerning the interpretation, constitutionality, and enforceability of certain provisions of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has delivered its judgment on the challenge to the validity and constitutionality of the relevant provisions of Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act 2026. This provision states that only members whose names are contained in the register of a political party shall be eligible to vote and be voted for in the party primaries, congresses, and conventions. With the Supreme Court's judgment, this provision is no longer operating within uncertainty, and Balogun has requested that INEC proceed to fully enforce Section 77(4-6) of the Electoral Act 2026.
The House Committee on Electoral Matters has urged INEC to do an audit of candidates of all political parties for the 2027 General Election. This audit aims to ascertain that the candidates' names submitted by the political parties are in their registers earlier submitted to INEC in compliance with Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act. The committee believes that this audit will be a litmus test for INEC and that any culpable political party and candidates should be disqualified.
According to Balogun, if diligently done, the audit will save the courts from a flood of litigations that may arise from irregularities and non-adherence to Section 77(4-6) by political parties and their candidates. The committee's request is aimed at ensuring that political parties comply with the Electoral Act and that only eligible candidates participate in the 2027 General Election.
The Supreme Court's judgment has reshaped the 2027 party nominations process. The judgment has provided clarity on the eligibility of candidates to participate in party primaries, congresses, and conventions. INEC is now expected to enforce the provisions of the Electoral Act and ensure that only eligible candidates are allowed to participate in the electoral process.
The House Committee on Electoral Matters is pushing for INEC to take action and ensure that political parties comply with the Electoral Act. The committee believes that this will help to prevent litigations and ensure that the electoral process is free and fair.
Key points
- The House Committee on Electoral Matters has urged INEC to audit the list of candidates submitted by 22 registered political parties.
- The audit aims to ensure that only eligible candidates participate in the 2027 General Election.
- The Supreme Court's judgment has provided clarity on the eligibility of candidates to participate in party primaries, congresses, and conventions.
