In a strongly worded legal opinion released on Saturday, Dr. Olukayode Abraham Ajulo, OON, SAN, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, has declared that the political party a Nigerian belongs to as at 11:59 p.m. tonight will effectively be their platform for the 2027 General Elections.
The senior advocate warned that once political parties submit their digital membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with the final deadline set for May 10, 2026, membership becomes fixed for the purpose of candidate eligibility and party sponsorship.
Ajulo’s opinion, titled on the fixity of political party membership and sponsorship for the 2027 polls, is anchored on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2026, particularly Section 77.
Key Highlights of the Opinion
Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 mandates political parties to maintain and submit a comprehensive digital register of members containing verified details such as NIN, photographs, polling unit information, and other biometrics. Only individuals listed on the register submitted to INEC will be eligible to participate in primaries or contest on the party’s platform.
The prominent lawyer emphasised that the law now explicitly prohibits dual membership, with stiff penalties for violations. He noted that post-submission defections or switches would render aspirants ineligible and expose parties to disqualification risks.
He added that while Section 40 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of association, this right is not absolute in the electoral context and must yield to the regulatory framework designed to promote party discipline and curb political nomadism.
Judicial and Constitutional Backing
The opinion referenced constitutional provisions on defection (Sections 68 and 109), which require legislators to vacate their seats upon crossing the carpet except in cases of genuine party division or merger. Ajulo cited judicial precedents affirming that party sponsorship and nomination are tied to the platform at the material time of compliance with electoral rules.
He described the Electoral Act 2026 as a deliberate legislative instrument against opportunistic cross-carpeting, which has long plagued Nigeria’s democracy.
Recommendations and Implications
Ajulo advised politicians contemplating a change of affiliation to formalise their resignation and ensure deletion from their current party’s register before the imminent INEC deadline. He urged parties to exercise diligence in compiling compliant registers to avoid being barred from fielding candidates.
The development comes as parties intensify last-minute membership drives ahead of the May 10 cutoff, with primaries scheduled between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
Political analysts view Ajulo’s position as a clear signal to gladiators across parties: the window for strategic defections is rapidly closing, and the 2027 electoral battle lines are essentially being drawn tonight.