By Newsbino Media Publishing
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given political parties until October 24, 2026, to notify the commission if they believe any of their candidates were wrongly omitted from the final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship elections. The directive follows a landmark judgment delivered by the Supreme Court of Nigeria concerning compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act relating to party membership registers.
According to a statement issued by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission applied the Supreme Court’s decision while finalising the governorship candidates list and excluded parties that failed to comply with statutory requirements under Sections 77(5) to 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026.
The development has significant implications for political parties preparing for the 2027 electoral cycle, particularly those affected by the court’s interpretation of candidate eligibility and party compliance obligations.
The Supreme Court Judgment Behind the Decision
The controversy arose from the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026, which was decided by the Supreme Court on September 24, 2026. The case stemmed from an earlier Court of Appeal judgment that had nullified the provisions of the Electoral Act requiring political parties to submit membership registers as a prerequisite for conducting valid party primaries.
The Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal’s position and ruled that Sections 77(5) to 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026 are constitutional and mandatory for all political parties seeking to sponsor candidates in elections.
The apex court also upheld Item No. 2 of INEC’s timetable and schedule of activities, which required political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.
Why Some Political Parties Were Excluded
According to INEC, the commission was bound to implement the Supreme Court’s judgment in preparing the final list of governorship candidates. Political parties that failed to submit membership registers within the approved period were deemed ineligible to sponsor candidates for the election.
The commission stated that failure to comply with the membership register provisions renders defaulting political parties unable to validly nominate candidates for the affected election.
As a result, some parties did not appear on the final candidates list published by INEC.
October 24 Window for Complaints and Corrections
While implementing the Supreme Court decision, INEC also acknowledged the possibility of genuine administrative errors. Consequently, it opened a statutory window allowing affected political parties to challenge omissions they believe were made incorrectly.
The commission cited Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides that political parties have 14 days from the publication of the final list to notify INEC of any omission or error concerning their candidates. The deadline for such notifications has been fixed for October 24, 2026.
This provision gives political parties an official avenue to seek clarification or correction where necessary while maintaining compliance with the law.
Implications for the 2027 Governorship Elections
The ruling reinforces the importance of strict compliance with electoral laws and administrative regulations governing political parties in Nigeria. The judgment sends a clear message that candidate eligibility extends beyond party primaries and includes adherence to procedural requirements established by law.
Political analysts believe the decision could influence party organisation, internal record keeping and compliance structures ahead of future elections. Parties may now place greater emphasis on maintaining accurate membership records and meeting electoral deadlines to avoid disqualification.
INEC’s Commitment to the Rule of Law
In its statement, the commission emphasized that its actions were taken in accordance with Section 287(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which requires all authorities and institutions to enforce and comply with decisions of the Supreme Court.
INEC further assured Nigerians of its commitment to transparency, electoral credibility and the rule of law throughout the electoral process.
Electoral Compliance and Democratic Accountability
The latest decision highlights the increasing importance of compliance within Nigeria’s democratic framework. Election administration depends not only on voting processes but also on the legal and procedural obligations imposed on political parties participating in elections.
By enforcing the Supreme Court’s ruling, INEC seeks to ensure that all political parties operate within the same legal framework and that electoral contests are conducted according to established laws and constitutional principles.
The Significance of the October 24 Deadline
The October 24 deadline represents an important procedural milestone for affected political parties. It creates a limited opportunity for parties to present evidence that any omission from the final list occurred in error while preserving the integrity of the electoral timetable.
- Implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on party membership registers.
- Enforcement of Sections 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act 2026.
- Opportunity for affected parties to challenge candidate omissions.
- Emphasis on compliance with electoral regulations.
- Preparation for credible 2027 governorship elections.
Conclusion
The decision by INEC to set an October 24, 2026 deadline for complaints regarding omitted candidates follows a significant Supreme Court judgment that reaffirmed the mandatory nature of membership register submissions by political parties. The ruling has reshaped the legal framework governing candidate eligibility and reinforces the importance of electoral compliance in Nigeria.
As political parties prepare for the 2027 governorship elections, the deadline serves both as an opportunity for legitimate corrections and as a reminder that adherence to electoral laws remains essential to participation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
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Sources
- S’ Court ruling: INEC gives Oct. 24 deadline for parties to submit omitted candidates (Vanguard News, October 14, 2026).
Editorial note: This article is based on publicly available reporting regarding INEC’s implementation of a Supreme Court judgment relating to political party compliance with membership register requirements under the Electoral Act 2026. Further legal analysis may emerge as affected political parties respond before the October 24 deadline.
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