Supreme Court Upholds Electoral Act 2026 Amendments

On September 24, 2026, the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous judgment in appeal No. SC/CR/495/2026, affirming the National Assembly's amendments to the Electoral Act 2026.

The ruling, led by Justice Adamu Jauro, restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7), and 84(2) of the Act, which had been challenged by the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The Court of First Instance had previously dismissed the ZLP's suit, but the Court of Appeal ruled against the amendments, citing inconsistencies with the 1999 Constitution.

The Supreme Court's decision overturned the appellate court's judgment from July 16, 2026, and awarded N2 million in costs against the ZLP. The amendments stipulate that only registered members can participate in party primaries, requiring parties to use the submitted register, and impose consequences for non-compliance.

This ruling has been seen as a vindication of the legislative process and the competencies of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu.