House of Reps Urges INEC to Disqualify Candidates Post-Ruling

The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, led by Hon. Prince Bayo Balogun, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify certain candidates for the upcoming elections, following a Supreme Court ruling. In a letter dated September 30, 2026, the committee referenced Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026, and requested that INEC enforce its provisions without delay.

The Supreme Court's judgment clarified the validity of Section 77(5), which mandates that only registered party members can participate in primaries. The committee urged INEC to conduct an audit of candidates submitted by political parties to ensure compliance with the law, warning that failure to do so could lead to litigation.

The letter emphasized that this audit would serve as a critical test for INEC and that any political party or candidates found non-compliant should face disqualification.