The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has excluded political parties that failed to submit their membership registers as required by law from sponsoring candidates in governorship elections, following a Supreme Court judgement affirming the validity of the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The Commission announced the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee.
According to INEC, the decision followed a Supreme Court judgement delivered on September 24, 2026, in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026.
The apex court upheld the constitutionality and mandatory nature of Section 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which requires political parties to submit their membership registers as a condition for conducting valid party primaries.
SUPREME COURT AFFIRMS MEMBERSHIP REGISTER REQUIREMENT
INEC explained that the Supreme Court ruling followed an appeal filed by the Commission against an earlier Court of Appeal judgement that had invalidated the provisions requiring political parties to submit their membership registers before conducting party primaries.
However, the Supreme Court upheld the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and affirmed the validity of Item No. 2 of INEC’s Timetable and Schedule of Activities.
Under the timetable, political parties were required to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.
The Commission stated that the Supreme Court further held that political parties that failed to comply with Section 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, would be ineligible to sponsor candidates in the elections.
Consequently, parties that did not fulfil the statutory requirement were excluded from fielding governorship candidates.
INEC IMPLEMENTS SUPREME COURT DECISION
The electoral commission said it applied the Supreme Court’s judgement in accordance with Section 287(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.
The constitutional provision requires the decisions of superior courts to be recognised and enforced by the relevant authorities.
INEC explained that the judgement was taken into consideration while finalising the list of governorship candidates, leading to the exclusion of political parties that failed to meet the membership register submission requirement.
The development highlights the importance of compliance with electoral laws and the procedures governing political party primaries and candidate nominations.
PRESIDENTIAL AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE LISTS PUBLISHED EARLIER
INEC also clarified that the final lists of candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections had already been published on September 12, 2026, thirteen days before the Supreme Court delivered its judgement.
The Commission noted that the earlier publication was relevant to the application of the statutory provisions governing complaints about the exclusion of candidates from published lists.
According to INEC, Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, provides that political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly excluded from the published lists must notify the Commission within 14 days of publication.
OCTOBER 24 DEADLINE FOR AFFECTED POLITICAL PARTIES
The Commission identified October 24, 2026, as the deadline for affected political parties to notify INEC of alleged wrongful exclusions in line with the applicable legal provisions.
Political parties concerned about the exclusion of their candidates are expected to take the necessary steps within the stipulated period.
The deadline provides a limited window for parties seeking to raise concerns about the published candidate lists through the procedures prescribed by law.
INEC REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO CREDIBLE ELECTIONS
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, strict adherence to the rule of law and the conduct of credible elections in Nigeria.
The Commission’s position reinforces the need for political parties to comply with statutory requirements and electoral timetables to remain eligible to participate in elections.
The development also underscores the role of the judiciary in interpreting electoral laws and clarifying the legal obligations of political parties ahead of electoral contests.
[…] BREAKING: INEC Excludes Political Parties From Governorship Race Over Membership Register Failure […]