The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce a Supreme Court judgment on political party membership registers, a move that could have significant implications for parties preparing for the 2027 general elections.
The ruling party made the demand in a letter dated October 9, 2026, addressed to INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.
The letter, signed by APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, urged the commission to verify compliance with statutory requirements for submitting digital membership registers and apply the prescribed legal consequences where violations are established.
The demand follows a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Suit No. SC/CV/495/2026.
According to the APC, the judgment reaffirmed the validity of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, which establishes requirements governing political party membership registers and eligibility to participate in party primaries, congresses and conventions.
The party maintains that INEC must enforce the provisions consistently as political parties prepare for the next general elections.
APC Seeks Enforcement of Electoral Law
The APC urged INEC to determine whether political parties have submitted their digital membership registers within the timeframe prescribed by law.
Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires political parties to submit their membership registers to the commission at least 21 days before their primaries, congresses or conventions.
The party also cited Section 77(5), which restricts participation in internal party elections to members whose names appear in the register submitted to INEC.
Section 77(6) prohibits the use of alternative membership registers for those purposes.
The APC argued that the Supreme Court’s judgment clarified the legal consequences of failing to comply with these requirements.
It maintained that, under Section 77(7), a political party that fails to submit its digital membership register within the prescribed period may be prevented from fielding candidates in the general election.
The party consequently asked INEC to verify compliance and apply the relevant sanctions where the statutory conditions have been established.
The commission has a central role in administering electoral laws, but the consequences for individual parties will depend on the applicable provisions and the circumstances of each case.
APC Invokes Supreme Court’s Authority
The ruling party also invoked Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for the enforcement of Supreme Court decisions throughout the federation.
The APC argued that INEC was directly bound by the judgment because it participated in the legal proceedings.
It urged the commission to implement the ruling in accordance with its terms and ensure that political parties comply with the statutory framework governing membership registration.
The party further maintained that strict enforcement would promote transparency and strengthen internal democracy by ensuring that party primaries and other internal elections are conducted using verifiable membership records.
However, the commission’s implementation of the judgment will be important in determining how the ruling affects individual parties and their preparations for the 2027 elections.
Political Implications Ahead of 2027
The APC’s demand comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections, with membership registration, internal elections and candidate selection expected to remain important issues.
If the relevant statutory provisions are enforced, parties that fail to meet the legal requirements could face significant challenges in presenting candidates for elective offices.
The potential consequences extend beyond the ruling party, as the membership register requirements apply to political parties generally.
Opposition parties and other political organisations will therefore have an interest in how INEC interprets and implements the judgment.
The development also places attention on the commission’s responsibility to ensure that electoral laws are applied consistently, without favouring or disadvantaging any political party.
While the APC has framed its demand around legal compliance and internal party democracy, the practical impact will depend on the commission’s actions and the compliance status of the parties concerned.
As the 2027 election preparations gather momentum, the enforcement of membership register requirements could become an important issue in the relationship between INEC and political parties.
INEC’s Next Move
The immediate question is whether INEC will act on the APC’s request by verifying compliance and determining the appropriate consequences for any established violations.
The commission’s response could shape how political parties approach their membership registration and internal electoral processes in the months ahead.
For now, the APC has made its position clear: it wants the Supreme Court judgment enforced and the statutory requirements applied.
Whether the process will generate further disputes among political parties remains to be seen.
Polity Nigeria will continue to follow developments surrounding the enforcement of electoral laws and their implications for political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
