INEC Appeals Supreme Court Ruling on Electoral Act Provisions

On September 16, 2026, the Supreme Court reserved judgment in an appeal by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding a Court of Appeal ruling that voided specific provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. The case originated from a suit filed by the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging provisions they claimed were inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.

INEC, represented by Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), was the appellant, while the ZLP, represented by Ikechukwu Anyalewechhi, was the respondent. The Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, dismissed the ZLP's action on May 5, 2026.

The ZLP's subsequent appeal led to a Court of Appeal decision on July 16, 2026, which partially allowed the appeal and voided provisions concerning party primaries and membership registers. INEC's appeal to the Supreme Court seeks to determine the validity of these provisions, specifically Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7), and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.