On October 7, 2026, Kaduna Central senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Shehu Sani, advised candidates affected by the recent Supreme Court ruling on key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 to quit the 2027 election race. In an X post, Sani stated that affected candidates still campaigning despite the apex court's ruling are "heading to nowhere". He urged them not to be deceived by encouragement from their supporters.
The Supreme Court ruling, delivered on September 24, 2026, restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7), and 84(2) of the Electoral Act after setting aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which had declared the provisions unconstitutional. The court consequently restored the judgement of the Federal High Court, which had dismissed a suit filed by the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) challenging the provisions.
Although the apex court did not specifically disqualify any candidate, its restoration of the disputed provisions means that some candidates could lose their slots amid questions over party membership, the timing of defections, membership registers submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), or the manner in which candidates emerged from their parties' nomination processes.
Senator Shehu Sani, a former Kaduna Central senator, noted that affected candidates still campaigning despite the apex court's ruling are wasting their time and resources. He emphasized that his advice was based on experience, having participated in both winning and losing elections.
Sani's advice comes as various political parties and stakeholders continue to react to the Supreme Court ruling. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also urged the Federal Government to release the final tranche of its budgetary allocation for the 2027 elections.
The Supreme Court ruling has significant implications for the 2027 election, with many candidates potentially facing disqualification or ineligibility. As the electoral process unfolds, affected candidates will need to determine their next steps in light of the court's decision.
Key stakeholders, including political parties and INEC, are expected to provide further guidance on the implications of the Supreme Court ruling. For now, Senator Shehu Sani's advice to affected candidates serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of continuing to campaign despite the court's decision.
Key points
- Senator Shehu Sani advises candidates affected by the Supreme Court ruling to honourably quit the 2027 election race.
- The Supreme Court ruling restored key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, potentially affecting the eligibility of some candidates.
- Affected candidates risk losing their slots due to questions over party membership, defection timing, and nomination processes.
