Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026 has expanded the regulatory authority of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over political parties in Nigeria. The provision grants INEC enhanced powers to supervise party activities, including internal party elections and primaries. Senior advocate Femi Falana confirmed the shift, stating the amendment strengthens INEC's oversight role while limiting the involvement of courts in internal party disputes. According to Falana, the provision bars judicial interference in matters that fall within the commission's constitutional mandate. This includes disputes over party primaries, candidate nominations, and disciplinary actions taken by parties. The change is expected to reduce the number of election-related litigation cases that have historically delayed electoral processes. Falana described the development as a significant shift in Nigeria's electoral governance framework. The provision takes effect immediately as part of the broader Electoral Act 2026.
Femi Falana's endorsement of Section 83 reveals a calculated move to centralise dispute resolution within INEC, a body already stretched thin during election cycles. By removing court access for party disputes, the amendment places immense power in the hands of a single institution without guaranteeing its impartiality. For Nigerian voters, this could mean faster resolution of candidate eligibility issues, but also fewer avenues to challenge questionable party decisions. The real test will be whether INEC can act independently when ruling on parties that influence its own funding and political survival.
