INEC Begins Formal Review of Supreme Court Judgment on Electoral Act Provisions Ahead of 2027 Polls.
Commission studies landmark ruling that restored key Electoral Act provisions as questions mount over party switchers.
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The iNews Times | The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC https://inecnigeria.org has formally begun a review of Supreme Court judgment that restored critical sections of the Electoral Act 2026, a development that could reshape the political fortunes of several high-profile candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan announced the move on Tuesday during a World Press Conference in Abuja, confirming that the commission only received the certified true copy of the September 24, 2026 judgment that morning. The ruling, delivered in the case between INEC and the Zenith Labour Party, upheld the constitutionality of sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026 and validated the commission’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 polls.
In this report, we examine the key developments, reactions from stakeholders, and the broader implications.
Background of the Story
Nigeria’s electoral framework has long been tested by disputes over candidate nomination timelines, party switching, and the precise powers of the electoral umpire. The Electoral Act 2026 introduced clearer provisions on when aspirants could validly move from one party to another relative to ongoing nomination exercises. Those provisions came under judicial scrutiny after the Zenith Labour Party challenged aspects of INEC’s revised election timetable.
On September 24, 2026, the Supreme Court settled the matter by affirming the constitutionality of the contested sections and restoring INEC’s authority over the schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections. The judgment arrived at a sensitive moment when several politicians had already switched platforms after their former parties had either concluded or commenced nomination processes. The resulting uncertainty quickly generated formal complaints from political parties, aggrieved aspirants, and members of the National Assembly, prompting the electoral commission to act.
Key Developments
Professor Amupitan told journalists that the commission had received multiple complaints drawing attention to the Supreme Court decision. He stressed that the certified true copy of the judgment only reached INEC on Tuesday morning and was now under careful study before any definitive next steps would be taken.
“We have recently received complaints from some political parties, and aggrieved aspirants, and even from the National Assembly, drawing our attention to the recent Supreme Court decision in INEC and Zenith Labour Party, delivered on the 24th day of September, 2026, affirming the constitutionality of Section 77, subsections 5 to 7 of the Electoral Act, 2026, and also upholding our revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election,” Amupitan stated. “We only received the certified true copy of this judgement this morning, and it is being reviewed.”
The individuals whose nominations have drawn particular scrutiny include Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Kingsley Chinda; Delta Central senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Ovie Omo-Agege; former Cross River State governor and Peoples Redemption Party presidential candidate, Donald Duke; and former Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Victor Ochei. All are reported to have changed political platforms after their previous parties had either conducted or begun nomination exercises, placing their eligibility under the restored provisions of the Electoral Act in question.
Reactions from Stakeholders
Political actors across the spectrum have watched the process closely. While formal public responses remained measured as of Tuesday, sources within affected parties told The iNews Times that the commission’s decision to conduct a thorough review was being welcomed as a necessary step toward clarity. One senior APC official in Rivers State, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the party expected INEC to apply the judgment uniformly and without selective interpretation. Similarly, figures associated with the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Delta State described the review as an opportunity to settle lingering questions before the electoral calendar advances further.
Members of the National Assembly who raised concerns with INEC have argued that the Supreme Court judgment must be implemented in a manner that protects the integrity of the nomination process while respecting the rights of aspirants who acted in good faith under earlier interpretations of the law.
Implications
The ongoing INEC review of Supreme Court judgment carries significant political and institutional weight. At stake is not only the fate of individual candidates but also public confidence in the predictability of Nigeria’s electoral rules. A determination that certain nominations are invalid could force parties to conduct fresh primaries or substitute candidates, potentially altering the competitive landscape in key states and the presidential race. Conversely, a finding that upholds the nominations would provide those candidates with a stronger legal footing as the 2027 cycle intensifies.
Beyond the immediate candidates, the episode underscores the broader tension between judicial interpretation of electoral statutes and the practical realities of political mobility in Nigeria. How INEC navigates this review will signal the commission’s readiness to enforce the Electoral Act 2026 consistently and may influence the behaviour of other aspirants still considering platform changes.
What Happens Next
INEC is expected to conclude its internal review of the certified judgment and communicate its position on the affected nominations within a reasonable timeframe. Political parties and the candidates involved will closely monitor any subsequent guidelines or public statements from the commission. Further litigation remains possible should any party or aspirant disagree with INEC’s eventual interpretation. The commission’s handling of the matter will also feed into preparations for the revised timetable already restored by the Supreme Court.
Conclusion
The commencement of the INEC review of Supreme Court judgment marks a critical juncture in the road to the 2027 general elections. By taking time to study the full implications of the September 24 ruling, the commission has signalled that it prioritises legal certainty over rushed conclusions. For Nigerian voters and political actors alike, the outcome will help determine whether the restored provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 strengthen the integrity of the process or become another source of prolonged contestation. The iNews Times will continue to track developments as INEC finalises its position and the political implications become clearer.
