The Supreme Court delivered two important rulings yesterday:
The Supreme Court’s position on participation in party primaries and the submission of party membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could have legal implications for the eligibility of some candidates ahead of upcoming elections.
Two issues are particularly significant:
- Participation in multiple party primaries: A person who participated in more than one political party primary may be disqualified, depending on the circumstances and the applicable provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
- Party membership register: A prospective candidate must have been properly included in the relevant party’s membership register submitted to INEC within the legally prescribed timeframe. Failure to meet this requirement could raise questions about eligibility to participate in that party’s primary.
Against this background, questions have been raised regarding the circumstances surrounding the candidacies of Prof. Isa Ali Pantami (PDP), Gombe; IGP Adamu Idris (SDP), Nasarawa; Abdulrahman Haske (APM), Adamawa; Senator Shehu Buba (PRP), Bauchi; Lawal Daura (APM), running mate to Seyi Makinde; and Farouk Mustapha (APC), Bauchi Deputy Governorship Candidate.
However, the mere appearance of a candidate’s name on such a list does not by itself establish disqualification. Each case would have to be examined individually, including the candidate’s party membership status, the dates and circumstances of any primary elections participated in, the party’s records submitted to INEC, and the specific provisions of the Electoral Act and the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The issue of the INEC deadline is also relevant. INEC initially set April 21, 2026 as the administrative deadline for submission of party membership registers before subsequently extending it to May 10, 2026. INEC later stated that all 22 registered political parties had submitted their membership registers, with the submissions completed by May 8, 2026.
Consequently, any legal challenge would likely turn on the actual contents of the relevant party register, the timing of the candidate’s membership and nomination, evidence concerning participation in primaries, and how the Supreme Court’s interpretation applies to the individual facts of each case.
The legal implications therefore require a case-by-case examination, rather than assuming that every candidate named is automatically disqualified.