Bayo Balogun Urges INEC to Disqualify Non-Registered Candidates

The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify candidates whose names are not included in the political party registers, as mandated by the Electoral Act 2026. Bayo Balogun, the committee chairman and a member of the All Progressives Congress, emphasized the importance of enforcing Sections 77(5), 77(6), and 77(7) following a Supreme Court ruling on September 24, 2026, which restored these provisions after they were previously deemed unconstitutional by the Court of Appeal.

Section 77(5) stipulates that only members listed in the submitted membership register can participate in party primaries, while Section 77(6) mandates that political parties utilize the register submitted to INEC for such activities. Balogun urged INEC to audit the membership registers and candidates to ensure compliance, stating that diligent enforcement would help mitigate disputes and reduce litigation related to electoral irregularities.