Nigeria Reps Committee: INEC 2027 Candidate Disqualification Urged Over Membership

• The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has urged INEC to audit candidates for the 2027 general elections.
• The committee specifically called for the disqualification of candidates whose names are not in their party's membership registers, citing Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
• This directive follows a Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the constitutionality and validity of Section 77(5), removing previous legal uncertainties.
• Committee Chairman Bayo Balogun emphasized that INEC must now fully enforce the provision without further delay.
• The proactive audit is intended to prevent a surge of post-primary litigation challenging candidate eligibility.

Lawyers advising political parties or prospective candidates for the 2027 elections must immediately review compliance with Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act, 2026, ensuring candidates are validly listed in party membership registers to avoid disqualification by INEC following the Supreme Court's definitive ruling.

The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has formally urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to undertake a comprehensive audit of all candidates proposed by political parties for the upcoming 2027 general elections. This directive, issued in a letter dated September 30, 2026, and made public to journalists in Abuja, specifically calls for the disqualification of any candidate whose name is not accurately recorded in their respective party’s membership register previously submitted to the commission. The committee's chairman, Mr. Bayo Balogun, signed the communication, emphasizing the critical need for adherence to electoral regulations.

This significant intervention by the Bayo Balogun Electoral Matters Committee highlights a pivotal aspect of Nigeria's electoral framework, focusing on the integrity of candidate selection processes. The committee explicitly drew INEC's attention to Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026, particularly subsections 4 through 6, as the legal foundation for this stringent requirement. The move signals a firm stance on ensuring that only genuinely registered party members are eligible to contest elections, aiming to bolster transparency and fairness in the lead-up to the 2027 polls.

The committee's insistence on this audit stems directly from a recent Supreme Court ruling that definitively affirmed the validity and constitutionality of Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act, 2026. This crucial provision stipulates that only individuals whose names are contained within a political party’s official register are qualified to participate as voters or candidates in the party’s primaries, congresses, and conventions. This Supreme Court ruling on candidate eligibility in Nigeria has removed previous ambiguities surrounding the enforcement of this section.

Previously, INEC had expressed reservations regarding the full implementation of this particular provision. In a response dated July 26, 2026, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, INEC explained its cautious approach, citing ongoing judicial proceedings that challenged the interpretation, constitutionality, and overall enforceability of Section 77(5). The commission had sought to avoid administrative actions that could be overturned by a final judicial determination. However, Chairman Balogun underscored that the Supreme Court’s decision has fundamentally altered this legal landscape, asserting that the provision is "no longer operating within the uncertainty" that once hampered its application. The apex court, as the ultimate authority on constitutional and electoral matters, has now settled the dispute, paving the way for robust Electoral Act 2026 Section 77(5) enforcement.

With the legal uncertainties resolved, the House Committee has urged INEC to proceed without delay in fully enforcing Section 77(4-6) of the Electoral Act, 2026. This includes conducting a thorough INEC audit of political party membership by comparing the names of all presented candidates for the 2027 elections against the membership registers previously submitted by political parties. The committee warned that any party or candidate found to be in violation of Section 77(5) should face immediate disqualification, framing this exercise as a "litmus test" for the commission's commitment to upholding electoral integrity.

The proactive implementation of this audit is also seen as a vital measure to mitigate future legal challenges. The committee argued that a diligent pre-election review would significantly reduce the likelihood of a surge in post-primary litigation, particularly cases contesting candidate eligibility due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act. By addressing these issues early, the process aims to prevent a "flood of litigations" that could otherwise burden the courts and disrupt the electoral timetable, thereby promoting greater Nigeria electoral law compliance for 2027.

Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026, is comprehensive, governing the internal administrative affairs of political parties, including the conduct of their primaries, congresses, and conventions. Its provisions have garnered considerable legal and political attention due to their direct impact on the eligibility criteria for party members seeking elective office. The committee's timely intervention comes as political parties are actively preparing for the 2027 general elections, and INEC continues its preparations for the entire electoral cycle.

This development carries significant implications for all stakeholders involved in the upcoming elections. Lawyers advising political parties or prospective candidates for the 2027 elections must immediately review compliance with Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act, 2026, ensuring candidates are validly listed in party membership registers to avoid disqualification by INEC following the Supreme Court's definitive ruling. The emphasis on strict adherence to membership register requirements underscores a broader commitment to strengthening democratic processes and ensuring that only legitimate party members participate in and emerge from the candidate selection process.

Lawyers advising political parties or prospective candidates for the 2027 elections must immediately review compliance with Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act, 2026, ensuring candidates are validly listed in party membership registers to avoid disqualification by INEC following the Supreme Court's definitive ruling.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Nigeria