Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Legal Disputes Over Primaries

Legal battles are anticipated over political party primaries ahead of the 2027 elections due to the Supreme Court's restoration of certain provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. On September 27, 2026, the Supreme Court, led by Justice Adamu Jauro, unanimously ruled in appeal No.

SC/CR/495/2026, reinstating Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7), and 84(2) of the Electoral Act. This ruling reversed a July 16 decision by the Court of Appeal that had deemed these provisions unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court's judgment does not automatically invalidate previously concluded nominations, but it creates uncertainty regarding which provisions apply to individual candidates and primaries, presenting a challenge for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Notable candidates potentially affected include Mohammed Adamu of the Social Democratic Party in Nasarawa State, Kingsley Chinda of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, and Saliu Mustapha of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara Central.

Additionally, Isa Pantami's nomination process is under scrutiny following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified his PDP primary in Gombe State, ordering a fresh election by September 29, 2026.