2027 Primaries: How INEC Guidelines Forced Some Lawmakers, Governors Out of the Race
Many senators who either lost their primary elections for the 2027 polls or were disqualified by political parties are now in a quandary, as alternative political options appear to be closing up on them, according to findings.
The guidelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), requiring all political parties to submit the registration details of their membership in both hard and digital versions before 10 May 2026, have become a major stumbling block to securing alternative platforms after many senators lost out in primary elections held across parties recently.
Perhaps, their leeway would depend on whether INEC complies with last Thursday’s judgment of an Abuja Federal High Court, which held that the commission was not empowered by the Electoral Act to force political parties to adhere strictly to its timetable, particularly the May 10 deadline for submission of members’ registers.
Tribune Online recalls that in elections preceding amendments to the Electoral Act, aspirants could change political parties through defection or obtain multiple nomination forms after failing on one platform. That window has now been restricted under the new law and guidelines.
“The record before INEC as of 10–11 May 2026 is what the commission will use throughout the 2027 election season.
“A member of the APC remains a member of the APC; if you are in ADC, NDC, LP or SDP, that remains your political party.
“There is no provision to change party membership midway just to contest again on another platform after losing in your original political party. That is the position,” a principal legislative official told the newspaper in Abuja.
Investigations showed that the development has left lawmakers who would ordinarily have defected swiftly trapped and helpless, as uncertainty over their political future deepens.
Going by the timeline set by INEC, all matters relating to primary elections will close on 30 May, barely six days away, leaving lawmakers who have lost elections or been disqualified trapped within their respective political parties.
“While some senators have appealed the outcome of the primaries through internal appeal panels, some have also approached the courts.
“However, much will depend on how INEC responds to the judgment of the Federal High Court, which some stakeholders want to rely on to secure alternative platforms,” a source told our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday.
Many of the affected senators have protested the outcome of the primaries. In Delta State, for instance, Senator Ned Nwoko alleged that he was manipulated out of the Delta North contest in favour of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Nwoko, who lamented that the election was marred by intimidation, violence and vote-buying, rejected the official declaration of Okowa as winner.
“The result now being circulated by the state government and its compromised agents is therefore unacceptable, morally defective, and democratically worthless.
“No manufactured result can stand against video evidence, agents’ reports, ward records, and the living testimony of the people. Democracy is not the private property of any governor. It is not the inheritance of political godfathers. It is not a weapon to be used against the people,” the senator stated as he awaits the ruling on his appeal.
In Kogi State, Kogi East Senator Isah Jibrin Echocho is also affected and has complained bitterly.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs is alleging a gang-up against him, orchestrated by the state government, to edge him out of the contest.
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Jibrin, who described the result of the primaries as a “nullity”, said: “I have been very quiet. I have been very supportive of the administration. I have been very loyal to you. I told you I would. Why do you want to deny Kogi East the best resolution ever?
“I have told everybody who cares to listen that I do not want to contest for governor… but since you are now out to fight me, take it from me today: the battle line has been drawn. Tell your people I am waiting, and the war is here. I am going to contest with you.”
A long list of senators is caught in the situation, including Saliu Mustapha and Lola Ashiru (Kwara), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Titus Zam and Udende Emmanuel (Benue), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Ipalibo Harry-Banigo (Rivers), Neda Imaseun (Edo), Umar Shehu Buba (Bauchi), and Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa).
However, some lawmakers are said to be exploring the opportunity created by the Abuja court judgment to seek alternative platforms.
Presiding Justice M.G. Umar ruled in a suit filed by the Youth Party, holding that INEC must comply with the 120-day pre-election deadline under the Electoral Act 2026 for submission of party membership registers, rather than abridging it.
Umar declared: “A declaration is made that, having regard to Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires political parties to submit the personal particulars of their candidates not later than 120 days to an election, the defendant cannot lawfully abridge or limit that statutory period by prescribing a shorter timeframe in its 2027 elections.”
While nullifying the May 10 deadline used by INEC, the court ruled that political parties now have until September to submit an updated list of all members.
[TRIBUNE ONLINE)
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