Vera Ibrahim Sets Stage For 2027 Disqualifications

Justice Vera Ibrahim has issued the first judgment disqualifying a party’s candidate from the 2027 general elections based on Section 77 of the Electoral Act.

It requires political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before party primaries.

Justice Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Gombe annulled the APC primary on 16 May for the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency. He disqualified Ali J C, who is said to have joined the party 16 days before the primary, from a fresh one.

The judgment is the first clear-cut ruling disqualifying a candidate since the Supreme Court upheld INEC’s guidelines and parts of Section 77 of the Electoral Act that the Appeal Court had voided.

Dozens of candidates running for elective office could face similar fates as Ali J C.

The most recognisable names are PRP presidential candidate, Donald Duke; APC’s governorship candidate in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda; PDP’s governorship candidate in Gombe State, Isa Pantami; and NDC’s senatorial candidates in Delta, Ovie Omo-Agege and Victor Ochei.