{
  "id": 12130106,
  "title": "When Supreme Court Speaks, Politics Must Follow The Law",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/when-supreme-court-speaks-politics-must-follow-the-law",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T10:40:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/10/05/when-supreme-court-speaks-politics-must-follow-the-law/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In September 2026, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a dispute involving Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026. The Court overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal and reinstated the Federal High Court's judgment, which found that these provisions were not unconstitutional.\n\nThe Supreme Court's decision did not create these provisions into law, as they were enacted by the National Assembly. However, the Court clarified that these provisions are not unconstitutional on the grounds they were initially challenged. This distinction is crucial, as it means the provisions remain part of the law governing Nigeria's electoral process.\n\nThe judgment specifically upheld Sections 77(5), (6) and (7), as well as Section 84(2), all of which are seen as consistent with the 1999 Constitution. Section 228(a) of the Constitution grants the National Assembly the power to enact laws for internal party democracy, including regulations on party primaries, congresses and conventions.\n\nWhile the autonomy of political parties is recognized, it is not absolute and operates within the framework of the Constitution and valid legislation. The Supreme Court's decision must be respected, as it is the highest court in the land. Lower courts must now enforce the Supreme Court's decision, which sets aside the Court of Appeal's earlier ruling.\n\nThe ruling has significant implications for political parties, particularly in how they handle membership registers and candidate nominations. Parties must ensure their procedures comply with the Electoral Act, as statutory requirements cannot be disregarded based on political convenience.",
  "summary": "*A legal perspective on the Supreme Court’s judgment on the Electoral Act 2026 By Olukayode Ajulo The Supreme Court has spoken. We must now allow the law to speak through",
  "key_points": [
    "Supreme Court upholds Electoral Act provisions in 2026 ruling",
    "INEC decision reaffirmed over Court of Appeal's earlier ruling",
    "Political parties must comply with Electoral Act and Constitution"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}