Supreme Court Ruling: Political Parties Must Follow Electoral Act Ahead of 2027

The Supreme Court has upheld key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 on party membership registers, congresses, conventions, primaries and candidate nominations. It set aside the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision and restored the Federal High Court’s judgment. The ruling confirms that the National Assembly can set rules to protect internal democracy in political parties. Party autonomy remains important, but it cannot override valid laws made under the Constitution. Membership registers submitted to INEC and statutory requirements for primaries must not be treated as optional. Political parties, aspirants and INEC should review their procedures before the 2027 elections. Parties must conduct lawful processes, aspirants should not wait until after primaries to challenge irregularities, and INEC must apply the law fairly without adding requirements not contained in legislation. I believe the wider lesson is simple: Supreme Court decisions are binding on all authorities and persons. Political competition must operate within the law, not outside it.

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