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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC), has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding the enforcement of Supreme Court judgment reaffirming the validity of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 on party membership registers.
The petition, urging the electoral umpire to immediately enforce the September judgment in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, was co-signed by the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, and made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Friday.
The judgment underscored the statutory requirement for political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before primaries, congresses and conventions. It also provides that only members listed in the duly submitted register are eligible to vote and be voted for in these internal party processes.
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The APC also urged INEC to verify compliance by all political parties and apply the statutory consequences of any established violations, without fear or favour.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general election, the party emphasised that credible elections require transparent internal democratic processes and strict adherence to the rule of law.
While calling on INEC to act promptly to enforce the apex Court judgment and uphold the integrity of the electoral process, the ruling party noted: “The judgment affirmed the validity of section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 as enacted by the National Assembly, by setting aside the order of the Court of Appeal nullifying S.77(5) to (7) and S. 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026 and Activity Serial Number Two of the INEC Revised Timetable and Schedule and Schedule of Activities for 2027 General Election as unconstitutional.
“While 77(4) provides that ‘Each political party shall make such register available to the Commission not later than 21 days before the date fixed for the party primaries, congresses or conventions, section 77(5) specifically provides that only members whose names are contained in the register shall be eligible to vote and be voted for in party primaries, congresses and conventions.”
