By Okoi Obono-Obla
Section 88 subsection 1 of the Electoral Act 2026 bars all political appointees from participating in any convention, congress, or political party primaries as voting delegates or aspirants for the purpose of nominating candidates for any election.
Section 155 of the Electoral Act 2026 defines primaries or primary election as any intra-party election by voters of a political party to nominate candidates for an elective office in accordance with the party’s constitution and the law.
However, the legislature did not define the phrase political appointees.
Who is a Political Appointee?
The term political refers to activities, organizations, and behaviors related to government, power, and public policy—essentially the process of determining “who gets what, when, and how.” It involves decision-making in groups, power struggles, and the management of resources within a state or society.
An appointee is a person officially selected for a specific job, position, or duty. In government, this refers to someone appointed into office or given a specific role. Contextually, a political appointee is someone appointed into government service or holding a position in any of the three branches of government—executive, legislature, or judiciary—whether at the federal, state, or local government level. It may also extend to those employed in the civil or public service.
Nigerian Context:
In Nigeria, a political appointee includes individuals appointed into government positions across all tiers—federal, state, and local. This encompasses ministers, commissioners, advisers, board members, and other officials whose authority derives from appointment rather than election.
Therefore, any political appointee who wishes to aspire to elective office—such as President, Vice President, Governor, Deputy Governor, or membership in the National or State Assemblies—would not be eligible to vote or be voted for in the convention, congress, or primary election of any political party for the purpose of nominating candidates for the 2027 general elections. According to INEC’s timetable, these primaries are scheduled between April and May 2026.
Legislative Intent:
The clear intent of Section 88 subsection 1 of the Electoral Act 2026 is to prevent political appointees from exploiting the privileges of their positions to secure party tickets. This provision ensures a level playing field for all aspirants, thereby enhancing transparency, equality, and integrity in the candidate selection process.
Conclusion:
By excluding political appointees from party primaries, the legislature seeks to safeguard the democratic process from undue influence, ensuring that aspirants compete fairly and that internal party democracy is strengthened.
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