The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately enforce the Supreme Court judgment affirming the statutory requirement for political parties to submit membership registers ahead of internal elections, as compliance takes centre stage ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a letter dated October 9, 2026, addressed to the INEC chairman, the ruling party called for immediate implementation of the September 24, 2026 judgment in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, which it said reaffirmed the validity of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026.
The letter was jointly signed by the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru. The party made its position public through a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.
According to the APC, the judgment reinforces the legal requirement for political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC at least, 21 days before conducting primaries, congresses and conventions.
The party also maintained that only members whose names appear on duly submitted registers are eligible to vote or contest in the affected internal party processes.
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It urged INEC to verify compliance across all political parties and apply relevant statutory sanctions wherever violations are established, stressing that action should be impartial and guided strictly by the law, without fear or favour.
With political parties beginning preparations for the 2027 general election, the ruling party argued that credible national elections depend on transparent internal democratic processes and strict adherence to established legal requirements.
It called on the electoral commission to act promptly on the judgment, insisting that compliance is essential to protecting the integrity of party primaries and the broader electoral process.
The demand places renewed emphasis on the role of INEC in ensuring that political parties comply with statutory requirements governing their internal elections ahead of the next general election.
