The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding that the electoral body enforce a Supreme Court ruling that tightened rules around party membership registers ahead of internal elections.
The letter, dated October 9, 2026, and addressed to the INEC Chairman, was co-signed by APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda and National Secretary Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru. It was issued from Abuja and made public through a press statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka.
Supreme Court ruling at the centre of the dispute
The judgment in question, delivered by the Supreme Court on September 24, 2026, in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, upheld Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026. The ruling confirmed that political parties are legally required to submit their membership registers to INEC no later than 21 days before any primary election, congress, or convention.
Beyond the submission requirement, the court also held that only party members whose names appear in a duly submitted register are eligible to vote or stand for election during such internal party processes.
APC calls for equal treatment of all parties
In the letter, the APC urged INEC to verify whether all registered political parties are complying with this requirement and to apply the legal consequences of any established violations "without fear or favour."
The party framed the demand in the context of the approaching 2027 general elections, arguing that credible national elections depend on orderly and transparent internal processes within the parties themselves. The APC said strict adherence to the rule of law at the party level was essential to the overall integrity of the electoral process.
INEC had not issued a public response to the APC's letter at the time this article was published.
See the full statement of Morka on X here:
Source: Legit.ng
