The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to review the list of candidates submitted by political parties for the 2027 elections and disqualify those who are not listed in their parties’ membership registers.
The committee made the demand in a letter dated September 30, 2026, signed by its Chairman, Bayo Balogun, and addressed to INEC.
It urged the electoral commission to enforce relevant provisions of Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026, particularly subsections four to six.
The committee’s position follows a recent Supreme Court judgment concerning the validity and constitutionality of Section 77(5), which stipulates that only persons whose names appear in a political party’s membership register can vote or contest at the party’s primaries, congresses and conventions.
Balogun recalled that INEC had earlier expressed reservations about implementing the provision because the courts were yet to resolve challenges to its interpretation and enforceability.
He cited a July 26, 2026 response from the commission, in which INEC explained that it had avoided administrative action that could later be affected by the outcome of the pending judicial proceedings.
However, Balogun said the Supreme Court’s ruling had now changed the situation.
“The legal position has now materially changed,” he stated, adding that the apex court had resolved the uncertainty surrounding the relevant provisions of Section 77(5).
According to him, the provision is “no longer operating within the uncertainty” that previously affected its implementation.
The committee therefore asked INEC to immediately enforce Sections 77(4) to 77(6) of the Electoral Act in its oversight of political parties and their electoral activities.
It specifically wants the commission to examine the names of candidates submitted by every registered political party and cross-check them against the membership registers previously filed with INEC.
The lawmakers said candidates found not to have complied with the membership requirement should be removed from the electoral process.
“This will be a litmus test for the Commission and any culpable political party and candidates should be disqualified,” the committee stated.
The committee also said carrying out the verification exercise before the election would help reduce legal disputes over the eligibility of candidates.
It warned that failure by parties to comply with the law could result in a fresh round of court cases after the primaries.
“If diligently done, it will save the courts from flood of litigations that may arise from irregularities and non-adherence to Section 77(4-6) by political parties and their candidates,” it said.
Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026, contains provisions governing aspects of political parties’ internal administration, including primaries, congresses and conventions.
The issue is expected to remain significant as political parties prepare their candidates for the 2027 presidential, governorship and National Assembly elections.
