The political fate of some high-profile 2027 candidates has come under fresh scrutiny following the Supreme Court’s restoration of key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is reviewing the implications of the judgment, particularly for candidates who moved to new political parties after nomination exercises had already begun or been concluded.
Among those whose candidacies have attracted attention are 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.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday at the commission’s World Press Conference in Abuja.
He said the commission had received complaints from political parties, aggrieved aspirants and members of the National Assembly seeking clarification on the effect of the Supreme Court ruling.
Amupitan said INEC received the certified true copy of the judgment on Tuesday and was studying it before determining its next course of action.
“We only received the certified true copy of this judgment this morning, and it is being reviewed,” he said.
The Supreme Court, in its September 24, 2026 judgment, overturned the Court of Appeal decision which had nullified Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.
The apex court held that the disputed provisions were not inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.
The restored provisions centre largely on political party membership registers and candidate nomination.
Section 77 requires political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC, with the restored provisions prescribing consequences relating to the use and submission of such registers.
The judgment has therefore introduced a fresh layer of uncertainty into the nomination of candidates who changed political platforms during the election cycle.
INEC’s review is expected to determine whether the restored provisions have consequences for the affected candidates and parties, as well as whether further action is required ahead of the 2027 elections.
