Accord Party presidential candidate and Co-Chairman of the Movement for Democratic Renewal, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has called for the disbandment and reconstitution of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the electoral body of defending provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 that were voided by the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja, in a July 16, 2026 judgment arising from a suit filed by the Zenith Labour Party, voided Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Act, ruling that they were inconsistent with Sections 221 and 222 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
INEC subsequently appealed the judgment at the Supreme Court. A seven-member panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro heard arguments in the case on September 16 and reserved judgment, with a date to be communicated to the parties.
Hashim said his objection was not to INEC’s right to appeal but to its decision to defend provisions already declared unconstitutional by the Court of Appeal.
“The Constitution is supreme. The National Assembly makes laws. INEC administers elections. INEC is not the Parliament and INEC did not make the Constitution.
“So when a competent Court of Appeal declares specific provisions of an Electoral Act inconsistent with the Constitution, why is INEC fighting in court to restore those provisions rather than working with relevant political parties to address previous infractions?”
He also questioned INEC’s role as an electoral umpire, asking whether its position raised concerns about its institutional interests.
“Of course, INEC can appeal. The issue is not whether it has the right to appeal. The question Nigerians should ask is; ‘what institutional interest does the electoral umpire have in sustaining provisions which a competent appellate court has declared inconsistent with the Constitution?’”
Hashim further alleged that INEC’s actions threatened the democratic process and warned that the 2027 elections could become a “coronation” rather than a genuine contest.
“We warned ever before now that what INEC seeks to do in 2027 is a coronation, not an election.”
He urged Nigerians and the media to pay greater attention to the case before the Supreme Court, particularly its implications for political parties and candidate selection ahead of the 2027 elections.
“How can a Court of Appeal judgment declaring portions of the Electoral Act unconstitutional, followed by an appeal by INEC to the Supreme Court, not be one of the biggest stories in Nigeria?”
Hashim said his position was not driven solely by his presidential ambition, describing himself as a “crusader for the establishment and sustenance of the democratic order.”
“I will pursue every lawful avenue available to defend democratic choice. I will challenge, through constitutional means, any action by public institutions which I believe compromises the democratic rights of Nigerians.”
He consequently called for INEC to be disbanded and reconstituted.
“I believe INEC should be disbanded and reconstituted.
“This is not a call to abolish elections or destroy electoral administration. It is a call to rebuild the institution responsible for conducting our elections.”
Hashim said the country needed an electoral commission that was constitutionally grounded, professionally competent, transparent and independent of the government of the day.
