Electoral Act 2026 and the End of Opportunistic Political Defections in Nigeria

By Okoi Obono-Obla 

Electoral Act 2026 and the End of Opportunistic Political Defections in Nigeria-

In 2022, I aspired to secure the ticket of my party—the All Progressives Congress (APC)—to represent the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State in the 2023 general election. That ambition was thwarted by the shenanigans of party leadership, which edged out aspirants who were not favored. My supporters, flummoxed and angered, urged me to decamp to another party to pick its ticket.

Several political parties, convinced that my candidacy would gain traction and momentum, offered me their ticket on a platter of gold. Yet I refused. Opportunism was out of tune with my ideology and character. I even withdrew the case I had filed in the Federal High Court challenging the nomination of my opponent.

But the political landscape has now changed dramatically. The Electoral Act, 2026, which came into force only a month ago, will regulate the 2027 general elections and has fundamentally altered the rules of party nomination. Section 77 of the Act, read together with its subsections, closes the door on opportunistic defections and last-minute political maneuvering.

Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026:

– Subsection (2): Every political party shall maintain a digital register of its members, which must be submitted to INEC not later than 21 days before the date fixed for party primaries, congresses, or conventions.
– Subsection (3): A political party shall not present any person for election unless that person is a member of the party and his or her name appears in the register submitted to INEC.
– Subsection (4): No person who has participated in the primaries of one political party shall be eligible to participate in the primaries of another political party.
– Subsection (5): A person nominated by one political party for an election shall not be eligible to be nominated by another political party for the same election.
– Subsection (6): Any person who violates subsections (4) or (5) shall have his or her nomination nullified.
– Subsection (7): INEC shall not accept the nomination of a candidate who is in violation of this section.

The New Reality:

The implications are profound. Aspirants desperate to secure tickets from other parties after failing in their own are now barred from switching camps. By the time they attempt such maneuvers, their party’s digital register would already have been submitted to INEC.

According to INEC’s timetable for the 2027 general elections, party primaries are scheduled between 26 April and 30 May 2026. This means every political party must submit its digital register by 5 April 2026. Once submitted, the register becomes the definitive record of membership, binding candidates to their chosen party.

The purport of Section 77(3) is clear: no party can present a candidate whose name does not appear in its register. Section 77(4) reinforces discipline by prohibiting cross-party primaries. Together, these provisions ensure that political parties are no longer revolving doors for aspirants seeking easy tickets.

Conclusion:

The Electoral Act, 2026 represents a watershed in Nigeria’s democratic journey. By outlawing opportunistic defections, mandating digital registers, and nullifying violations, it strengthens party discipline and enhances electoral credibility. For once, loyalty and consistency will matter more than expediency.

Nigeria’s democracy has often been undermined by political mercenaries who treat parties as mere vehicles for personal ambition. With this reform, the era of reckless defections is drawing to a close. The law now demands that aspirants stand firm, build within their parties, and respect the sanctity of internal democracy.

This is not just a legal change—it is a cultural shift. And it may well be the beginning of a more stable, principled, and accountable political order in Nigeria.