INEC Faces Pressure as Supreme Court Ruling Clouds 2027 Candidates

 

Anxiety is mounting among political parties and candidates affected by the Supreme Court’s recent interpretation of key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, as the Independent National Electoral Commission prepares to publish the final list of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates for the 2027 elections.

INEC is expected to release the final list on October 10, but the commission is still reviewing the implications of the September 24 judgment of the Supreme Court, which restored provisions dealing with political party membership registers and the nomination of candidates. 

The apex court had overturned an earlier Court of Appeal decision that declared Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act unconstitutional. The Supreme Court’s decision effectively restored the disputed provisions ahead of the 2027 elections.

The development has created uncertainty for some political parties and candidates whose membership status, waivers or nomination processes could be questioned under the restored provisions. Several affected politicians have, however, insisted that the judgment does not invalidate their candidacies.

INEC is expected to meet political parties and other stakeholders on Tuesday as it works towards the publication of the final list. The commission has reportedly applied for the certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgment to guide its decisions on affected candidates. 

The Senate has meanwhile ruled out any immediate amendment of the Electoral Act 2026 before the 2027 elections. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, said lawmakers had completed the electoral reform process and would only consider further amendments after the elections if necessary.

The controversy has therefore shifted from the constitutionality of the provisions to their practical application, with political parties watching closely to see whether any candidates will be affected when INEC publishes the final list.

The development comes at a sensitive stage of preparations for the 2027 elections, with political parties already intensifying mobilisation and prospective candidates preparing for what is expected to be one of Nigeria’s most closely contested electoral cycles.