The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce the Supreme Court’s judgment on political party membership registers, including the legal consequences for parties that fail to comply with statutory requirements ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a letter dated October 9, 2026, and reportedly signed by APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, the ruling party urged INEC to ensure that all political parties comply with the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

The request follows the Supreme Court’s September 24 judgment in the case involving INEC and the Zenith Labour Party. The apex court overturned an earlier Court of Appeal ruling and restored provisions of the Electoral Act relating to party membership registers and candidate nomination procedures. 

The APC asked INEC to verify whether political parties submitted their digital membership registers within the legally prescribed period and to apply the consequences provided by law where violations are established. It also urged the commission to ensure that only members listed in the register submitted to INEC participate in party primaries, congresses and conventions.

Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 requires political parties to make their membership registers available to INEC no later than 21 days before their primaries, congresses or conventions. The provisions also regulate which register parties may use and the eligibility of members to participate in internal party elections.

The APC maintained that compliance with the law was mandatory and argued that failure to enforce the Supreme Court’s decision could undermine internal party democracy, electoral transparency and the rule of law. The party also cited Section 287(1) of the Constitution, which requires Supreme Court decisions to be enforced by authorities, persons and subordinate courts.

The dispute has heightened attention on how political parties prepare for the 2027 elections, particularly the management of membership records and the conduct of primaries. INEC has separately stated that parties that fail to meet the membership-register requirements could be prevented from fielding candidates, making compliance a significant issue for parties and aspirants ahead of the polls.