Six stumbling blocks in 47 years
Several prominent political names missing from the final list of governorship candidates for next year’s elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] at the weekend was likely to
In 47 years, there have been six key stumbling blocks in Nigeria’s electoral system, according to a recent article. One such obstacle is Section 77[5], [6], [7] and 84[2] of the Electoral Act 2026, which prevent political parties from fielding candidates whose names are not listed in their membership register submitted to INEC. This provision was challenged by the Zenith Labour Party in court, but the Supreme Court upheld its validity in September 2023.
Parties must submit a register of their members within a certain period before conducting primary elections, a requirement that seems logical in theory but raises concerns in Nigeria’s political landscape. The provision was likely introduced by the APC to curb defections during primary elections, which could lead to allegations of rigging and manipulation.
However, it has been criticized for tarnishing the Supreme Court’s reputation, harming INEC’s image, and potentially discouraging voters from participating in elections.
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