The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce a Supreme Court judgment on political party membership registers, warning that parties which fail to meet the legal requirements could lose the right to field candidates in the 2027 general elections.
The ruling party also defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms against criticism from opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, insisting that the government would not restore petrol subsidy.
The APC’s position on the court ruling was contained in a letter dated October 9, 2026, and addressed to INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan. The letter was signed by the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru.
The party urged the electoral commission to implement the Supreme Court’s September 24 judgment in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Suit No. SC/CV/495/2026, which it said affirmed the validity of key provisions of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026.
Under Section 77(4), political parties are required to submit their membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before conducting primaries, congresses or conventions. The APC said the law restricts participation in these internal elections to members listed in the registers submitted to the commission and prohibits the use of alternative registers.
According to the party, the Supreme Court overturned a Court of Appeal order that had nullified parts of Section 77, Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026 and a provision in INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 elections.
The APC cited the judgment as stating that parties which fail to submit their digital membership registers within the stipulated period could be prevented from presenting candidates at the general election. It also argued that the provisions were designed to promote transparent, fair and verifiable internal party elections.
The party maintained that political parties retain the right to nominate candidates but must exercise that right in accordance with the law. It further invoked Section 228(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Supreme Court’s reference to Ardo v. Nyako (2014), arguing that the National Assembly has the constitutional authority to establish rules governing party primaries and internal democratic processes.
Relying on Section 287(1) of the Constitution, which provides for the enforcement of Supreme Court decisions across the country, the APC asked INEC to verify compliance with the membership-register deadline and apply the penalties prescribed by law where violations are established.
The party also called on the commission to ensure that only members listed in duly submitted registers participate in primaries, congresses and conventions, warning that failure to enforce the judgment could weaken internal party democracy and electoral transparency.
APC challenges opposition over economic reforms
Separately, Basiru and Yilwatda criticised opposition leaders over their comments on the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, questioning their records in public office and accusing them of pursuing political ambitions under the guise of concern for Nigerians.
The remarks came in Abuja as the APC received 12 House of Representatives and state House of Assembly candidates who defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The defectors, who came from Sokoto, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kano and Plateau states, were led by Princess Asmau Aliyu. Prof. Murtala Yusuf represented the ADC group, while Mohammed Rabiu led the NDC contingent from Kaduna State.
Basiru challenged opposition politicians to demonstrate that their criticism was driven by concern for the country rather than a desire to regain power.
He also questioned Amaechi’s reported opposition to a proposed seaport project in Ogun State, rejecting the suggestion that the project was being pursued to benefit Tinubu personally.
Basiru argued that infrastructure projects should be assessed by their potential contribution to economic activity rather than turned into political disputes.
He further challenged opposition figures to account for the state of major national assets, citing the Ajaokuta Steel Company, Osogbo Steel Rolling Mills, Delta Steel Company and Nigerian Airways. He alleged that some of the assets had been sold below their value during privatisation exercises and said their subsequent condition raised questions about the management of public resources.
On petrol subsidy, the APC national secretary ruled out a return to the policy, arguing that the government could not afford to restore a system that placed pressure on public finances.
Basiru recalled that during his time as a commissioner in Osun State, the government struggled to pay salaries and pensions and had to borrow from the capital market to meet obligations and finance development projects.
He warned that reversing the current reforms could make it more difficult for governments to meet their financial commitments.
Basiru also defended the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), claiming that more than 1.4 million students had benefited from the programme. He said student loans and monthly upkeep allowances of N20,000 could provide meaningful assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
He added that education should be viewed not only as a route to paid employment but also as a means of developing responsible citizens capable of contributing to society.
Yilwatda defends infrastructure spending in the North
Yilwatda, meanwhile, rejected claims that Tinubu’s administration had neglected Northern Nigeria in its infrastructure spending, listing road, railway, gas and electricity projects that he said would support the region’s economy.
He cited the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road, the Kano-Maiduguri corridor and road projects linking Kano with Katsina, Daura and Zaria. He also referred to construction activities in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
Responding to comparisons with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Yilwatda said the coastal project covered about 700 kilometres but argued that its length should not be used to dismiss infrastructure investments elsewhere in the country.
He maintained that road and rail development, alongside gas infrastructure, would improve transportation, strengthen trade and support agricultural production in the North.
The APC chairman also pointed to proposed and ongoing rail connections involving Kano, Kaduna and Maradi, saying improved rail services could expand access to seaports and create commercial opportunities for neighbouring landlocked countries, including Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso and Cameroon.
He also cited compressed natural gas initiatives and electricity-sector reforms as evidence of the administration’s investment in the region.
Yilwatda recalled Tinubu’s political support for Northern presidential candidates in previous election cycles, including Atiku in 2007, Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019. He said Tinubu’s involvement in efforts to consolidate support for Buhari demonstrated a commitment to national unity and power rotation.
APC rejects proposed petrol price discount
Yilwatda also questioned opposition proposals for a N500-per-litre discount on petroleum products, arguing that such a measure would require substantial government spending and could place additional pressure on public finances.
He questioned whether domestic refineries could receive sufficient crude oil at discounted rates, noting that a significant portion of Nigeria’s crude production belonged to joint-venture partners.
The APC chairman said the Tinubu administration had inherited substantial financial obligations, including debts owed to power generation companies, gas suppliers, foreign airlines and investors whose funds had been trapped under the previous foreign exchange regime. He claimed the government had settled outstanding liabilities worth trillions of naira but did not provide a detailed breakdown at the event.
Yilwatda also alleged that the Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria, which he said cost about $3.5 billion to establish, was sold for less than $130 million. He made similar claims about the disposal of steel assets, which he said were sold for considerably less than their stated value.
He argued that the administration’s reforms were intended to address inherited financial difficulties and redirect public resources towards infrastructure and other capital projects.
The APC chairman urged the defectors to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, describing their decision to join the party as an endorsement of continuity and national development. He assured them that they would be accommodated and given opportunities to participate in the party’s activities.
The APC’s appeal to INEC places the enforcement of the Supreme Court ruling on party membership registers at the centre of preparations for the 2027 elections, with the party urging the commission to verify compliance and apply the legal consequences where necessary.