The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a review of the Supreme Court judgment upholding key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, as questions emerge over the eligibility of some candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday during the commission’s World Press Conference in Abuja.
According to Amupitan, INEC has received complaints and inquiries from political parties, aggrieved aspirants and members of the National Assembly concerning the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision in the case involving INEC and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
He said the commission received the certified true copy of the judgment on Tuesday and had begun examining its contents before deciding on the appropriate steps to take.
“We only received the certified true copy of this judgement this morning, and it is being reviewed,” Amupitan said.
The Supreme Court, in its September 24, 2026 judgment, reportedly upheld the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.
The judgment also upheld INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
Candidates’ Eligibility Under Scrutiny
The development has generated renewed attention around candidates who moved from one political party to another after nomination processes had already been conducted or commenced by their former parties.
The interpretation and application of the relevant provisions could therefore have implications for some political aspirants and candidates preparing for the 2027 elections.
Among the names attracting attention are the Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kingsley Chinda; Delta Central senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Ovie Omo-Agege; former Cross River State governor and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke; and former Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Victor Ochei.
However, INEC has not announced a final decision on the eligibility of the affected candidates.
INEC Awaits Further Review
Amupitan said the commission would study the Supreme Court judgment carefully before determining how it would affect its electoral timetable, nomination processes and other relevant issues.
The commission’s review comes at a critical stage of preparations for the 2027 general elections, with political parties and aspirants already intensifying their activities.
The Supreme Court ruling has also prompted questions from stakeholders seeking clarity on the interpretation of the Electoral Act and its implications for candidates who changed political platforms during the ongoing electoral cycle.
INEC is expected to communicate its position after completing its assessment of the judgment and considering the complaints submitted by affected stakeholders.
