The fate of People Democratic Party (PDP), Senatorial candidates in Kwara State, Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central) and Kolo Baba Jiya (Kwara North), and other top politicians across the country still hangs in the balance as INEC has fixed next Tuesday for the enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment on Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan had last week said the Commission had concluded its review and would take action next week.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in a letter dated 9th October, 2026 and signed by its National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, had warned that it would file a court action to compel INEC to enforce the judgment.
The letter, addressed to Prof. Amupitan, cited Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, noting that INEC as an appellant in the suit is bound to give effect to the Supreme Court ruling which disqualifies parties whose candidates are not in the membership register as required by Section 77 of the Electoral Act.
However, a source within INEC said that the list released was already prepared in line with the Commission’s timetable and has nothing to do with the apex court order’s enforcement, which would be out on Tuesday.
If INEC fails to act, it risks a flood of fresh court cases from APC and other parties seeking an order to enforce the ruling.
Apart from Saliu and Kolo in Kwara, it was learnt that the exclusion of Isa Pantami in Gombe and Ladi Adebutu in Ogun from the list was due to separate court judgments, not the Supreme Court decision on membership register.
With Tuesday’s decision, the coast would be clear on who finally makes it to the ballot for the 2027 elections.
