The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to audit candidates submitted by political parties for the 2027 elections.
The committee also asked INEC to disqualify candidates whose names are not contained in the membership registers submitted by their parties.
The demand was contained in a letter dated September 30, 2026, signed by the committee’s Chairman, Bayo Balogun, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
The committee said the request was based on Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026, particularly subsections 4 to 6.
It said the Supreme Court’s recent judgment had resolved questions surrounding Section 77(5), which requires party members to be listed in their party’s membership register to participate in primaries, congresses and conventions.
According to Balogun, INEC had previously expressed reservations about enforcing the provision because of pending legal challenges.
He recalled that in a July 26, 2026 response, the commission said it wanted to avoid taking administrative steps that could later be affected by a court ruling.
However, the committee said the situation had changed following the Supreme Court judgment.
“The legal position has now materially changed,” Balogun stated.
He argued that the Supreme Court had settled the dispute and that Section 77(5) was no longer subject to the uncertainty that had previously surrounded its enforcement.
The committee therefore urged INEC to immediately begin enforcing the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
Specifically, it wants the commission to compare the names of all 2027 candidates submitted by registered political parties with their membership registers already filed with INEC.
The committee said any party or candidate found to have violated the provision should face disqualification.
“This will be a litmus test for the Commission and any culpable political party and candidates should be disqualified,” it stated.
The committee also said an early audit could help prevent further litigation over candidates’ eligibility after the primaries.
It argued that strict compliance with Section 77(4-6) could reduce the number of cases arising from irregularities in party primaries and candidate nominations.
Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026 covers aspects of the internal administration of political parties, including the conduct of primaries, congresses and conventions.
The issue has attracted legal and political attention because of its implications for party membership and eligibility to participate in the processes through which candidates are selected.
The committee’s demand comes as political parties and INEC intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The commission’s response to the proposed audit could have implications for candidate lists and subsequent legal challenges over eligibility and party nomination procedures.
