An aspirant who is a registered member of Party X in INEC’s record cannot be validly nominated by Party Z or Party W within the same electoral cycle
By Moses Okorie
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Federal Capital Territory Chapter, has commended the Supreme Court for upholding provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 relating to political party membership registers and candidate nomination.
The party said the judgment would strengthen internal party discipline and provide clearer rules for politicians seeking elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by the FCT Publicity Secretary, Samuel Iloh, the NDC described the judgment as an important step towards promoting internal democracy and discouraging politicians from moving between political parties in search of nomination opportunities.
The Supreme Court, in its judgment delivered on Thursday, September 24, upheld the appeal by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and reversed the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal which had invalidated Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.
A seven-member panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro held that the provisions were constitutional and did not conflict with Sections 221 and 222 of the 1999 Constitution.
The apex court also dismissed the appeal filed by the Social Democratic Party, while the appeal of the Youth Party was struck out on procedural grounds. The court further awarded N2 million in costs against the Zenith Labour Party.
Reacting to the ruling, the NDC said the decision reaffirmed INEC’s authority to regulate political party membership records and ensure compliance with the law governing party primaries.
The party noted that candidates who participate in the primary election of one political party should not subsequently seek nomination through another party during the same electoral cycle.
The NDC said the development would put an end to what it described as “political tourism,” whereby politicians move from one party to another in pursuit of tickets.
“An aspirant who is a registered member of Party X in INEC’s record cannot be validly nominated by Party Z or Party W within the same electoral cycle,” the party stated.
According to the NDC, the judgment will encourage politicians to remain committed to their chosen political parties and strengthen the role of party structures in the nomination process.
The party urged politicians and other stakeholders in the FCT to take note of the implications of the judgment as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
It said the ruling would also reinforce the importance of accurate and verifiable membership registers, while providing political parties with a clearer legal framework for conducting their primaries.
The NDC concluded by calling on politicians to demonstrate greater commitment to their respective parties, declaring: “Loyalty is now law. Stay in your party.”