S’Court ruling: Quit now, don’t allow supporters deceive you – Shehu Sani advises affected candidates

Shehu Sani

Kaduna Central senatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Shehu Sani has advised candidates affected by the recent Supreme Court ruling on key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 to honourably quit the 2027 election race.

The former Kaduna Central senator stated this in an X post on Wednesday.

On September 24, a
Justice Adamu Jauro-led seven-member panel of the apex court restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act after setting aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal which had declared the provisions unconstitutional.

The court consequently restored the judgement of the Federal High Court which had dismissed a suit filed by the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) challenging the provisions.

While the apex court did not specifically disqualify any candidate, its restoration of the disputed provisions means that some candidates could lose their slots amid questions over party membership, the timing of defections, membership registers submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), or the manner in which candidates emerged from their parties’ nomination processes.

In his X post, Sani noted that affected candidates still campaigning despite the apex court’s ruling are “heading to nowhere”.

He urged them not to be deceived by encouragement from their supporters.

He said, “If you are one of those candidates affected by the September Supreme Court ruling, you shouldn’t waste your time and resources.

“Your supporters will continue to beat the drums for you to stay in the race but you are heading to nowhere. We have the experience of losing and winning elections ,not as analysts or commentators but as active, frontline participants; so we know both sides very well.”

Breaking news & top stories

Stay connected with The Sun Newspaper

Get breaking news, exclusive stories, and live updates delivered straight to your phone. Join thousands of readers already following us on Whatsapp Channel and Telegram.

Breaking news & top stories

Follow The Sun Newspaper

Get live updates & exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone.