The Supreme Court of Nigeria has released the Certified True Copy (CTC) of its judgment in the legal dispute between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) over disputed provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
The seven-member panel of the apex court, presided over by Justice Adamu Jauro, delivered the judgment on September 24, 2026, in Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026, arising from the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/750/2026.
In the CTC of the judgment, the Supreme Court ordered that the appeal by INEC succeeds on Issues 2, 3, 4 and 5.
The apex court consequently set aside the July 16, 2026 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which had declared Sections 77(5) to (7) and Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026 unconstitutional and void.
The Supreme Court also set aside the order of the Court of Appeal nullifying the affected provisions and the relevant part of INEC’s Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election.
By the order of the apex court, the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered on May 5, 2026, dismissing Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/509/2026, has been restored.
The case originated from a suit filed by the Zenith Labour Party challenging provisions of the Electoral Act relating to political party membership registers and the nomination of candidates.
The Court of Appeal had earlier allowed ZLP’s appeal in part and voided Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act. INEC subsequently appealed the decision to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court, in its final order, further directed the respondent, Zenith Labour Party, to pay costs of ₦2 million to the appellant, INEC.
The release of the CTC provides the certified details of the apex court’s September 24 judgment and formally sets out the orders made by the seven-member panel.
