INEC Warns Parties on Candidate Eligibility for 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued a warning to political parties regarding the eligibility of candidates for the 2027 general elections. Candidates whose names are not included in the membership registers submitted to INEC may be barred from participation.

This warning follows a Supreme Court judgment on September 24, 2026, which upheld the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), 77(6), and 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026 and confirmed INEC’s revised timetable for the elections. Mohammed Haruna, INEC National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, stated that parties would not be allowed to substitute candidates affected by the register requirement, as this would enable them to benefit from their own violations.

Haruna noted that the Supreme Court ruling could impact some political parties' ability to field candidates for governorship contests. He emphasized that the register requirement applies to all candidates from the presidential level down to state Houses of Assembly.

INEC plans to make a definitive pronouncement on the matter after consulting legal experts.