Nigeria's Supreme Court ruling puts party membership rules at center of elections

Nigeria's Supreme Court restored key sections of the 2026 Electoral Act, requiring candidates to comply with party membership registers, placing their nominations at risk of legal challenges. The ruling reinstates provisions on membership registration and primary participation, with Justice Adamu Jauro calling registers "statutory instruments." Early court cases in Ogun and Gombe have already invalidated or challenged nominations over register discrepancies, prompting INEC to prepare implementation guidance. Analysts predict litigation could double by 2027, straining judicial resources and public trust. The verdict forces parties to professionalize processes, though it risks excluding popular candidates on technical grounds, testing the balance between legality and legitimacy in Nigerian democracy.