Shehu Sani Urges Candidates to Quit 2027 Race

Senator Shehu Sani, a candidate for the All Progressives Congress in Kaduna Central, urged political candidates affected by a recent Supreme Court ruling to withdraw from the 2027 election race. He warned that those facing legal vulnerabilities should not waste time and resources, advising them not to be deceived by supporters who encourage them to remain in the contest.

The advice follows a September 24 decision by a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court of Nigeria led by Justice Adamu Jauro. The court restored several key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, specifically Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7), and 84(2), by overturning a previous Court of Appeal decision that had labeled them unconstitutional. This ruling effectively reinstated a Federal High Court judgment that had dismissed a legal challenge brought by the Zenith Labour Party.

While the Supreme Court did not explicitly disqualify any specific individuals, the restoration of these provisions creates significant legal risks regarding the timing of party defections, nomination processes, and party membership requirements for the upcoming election cycle.