What looks like a technical dispute over a party membership register could have very practical consequences for Nigeria’s 2027 elections.

On Thursday, September 24, 2026, the Supreme Court unanimously restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, overturning the earlier Court of Appeal decision that had voided them. The case arose from a challenge by the Zenith Labour Party to the statutory requirements governing party registers and candidate nomination.

What does the ruling mean?

1. Party registers matter. Only members appearing on the register submitted to INEC within the statutory period may participate in the relevant primary, congress or convention.

2. Parties must use the submitted register. A different membership register cannot simply be substituted for the one submitted to INEC.

3. Failure to comply has consequences. The restored provisions attach significant electoral consequences to failure to submit the required register.

4. Candidate nomination is regulated. Section 84(2), as restored, provides for direct primaries or consensus as nomination methods.

The legal significance is substantial. The judgment clarifies, at least at Supreme Court level in this litigation, that statutory regulation of party membership records and nomination procedures can coexist with the constitutional framework governing political parties.

But this is not a blanket declaration that every existing candidate is disqualified. Questions about completed primaries, individual membership status, timing and candidate eligibility may still generate case-specific litigation.

For political parties, the message is straightforward: documentation, deadlines and compliance are now electoral strategy — not mere administration.

Do you think this ruling will bring greater certainty to Nigeria’s 2027 electoral process, or open another round of litigation?

IKECHUKWU O. Corporate Attorneys/Consultants

[email protected]

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