INEC Warns Parties Risk Losing Candidates Over Membership Register Rule

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that political parties whose candidates' names were missing from membership registers submitted at least 21 days before primaries will not be allowed to contest the 2027 general elections. The warning follows a September 24 Supreme Court judgment that restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which the Court of Appeal had previously struck down.

INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna said on Trust TV that affected parties would also be barred from substituting disqualified candidates, arguing they should not benefit from violations. The commission expects to issue a final decision on the ruling's implications next week after reviewing the certified true copy of the judgment.

“It's like you committed an offence. And then, you come and benefit from it. The parties, because they did the wrong thing, they thought they could now steal through the candidates.”

The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has separately written to INEC demanding enforcement of the restored provisions. Chairman Bayo Balogun said the Supreme Court verdict removed legal uncertainty that had previously prevented implementation.

Candidates whose nominations may face scrutiny include APC Rivers governorship candidate Kingsley Chinda, PDP Gombe candidate Isa Pantami, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, former Delta Speaker Victor Ochei, and PRP presidential candidate Donald Duke. The APC has rejected calls for Chinda's disqualification, stating he registered 24 days before the primary.

INEC had applied for the certified true copy of the judgment and planned stakeholder engagement on October 6. The commission also intends to conduct a comprehensive review of all candidates submitted by parties for the 2027 elections.