…demands electoral justice, listing of Turaki-led candidates
– Says INEC’s Compliance With Supreme Court Judgment On Party Nomination Will Uphold Rule of Law
The PDP Youth Rescue Movement has formally notified the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of its intention to hold a peaceful youth protest ahead of the 2027 General Elections to demand electoral justice, fairness and adherence to the rule of law.
In a notification letter dated 3rd October, 2026 and signed by its Convener, Comrade Usman Musa Bala, addressed to the INEC Chairman at INEC Headquarters, Abuja, the group said the protest became imperative to safeguard the integrity of the 2027 electoral process.
The group stated that any individual, group or institution found to engage in rigging, manipulation or compromise of the 2027 elections should be held accountable in line with the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.
It further demanded that INEC should act as an impartial and independent electoral body by ensuring that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is not unjustly restricted or hindered in the electoral process.
“Specifically, we call on INEC to forthwith remove any administrative or political barriers imposed on the PDP and to guarantee that candidates duly nominated under the leadership of Barr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, are permitted to be duly listed on the ballot for the 2027 elections without undue obstruction,” the letter read in part.
The youth group said as patriotic young Nigerians, it believes in democracy, justice and the right of the people to freely choose their leaders through credible, free and fair elections.
The notification comes on the heels of the recent landmark judgment of the Supreme Court on party membership and candidate nomination.
The apex court, in a unanimous decision delivered on September 24, 2026, by a seven-member panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro, restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, setting aside the Court of Appeal judgment of July 16 that had voided the provisions. 8527
The restored provisions require that only members whose names appear on a register submitted to INEC at least 21 days before a primary, congress or convention may take part, and that parties must use that submitted register and no other. A party that fails to submit its register in time cannot field candidates, while nomination must be by direct primaries or by consensus. 8527
The Supreme Court held that the provisions are not inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution and do not amount to unlawful interference in the internal affairs of political parties. 8527
Legal analysts say the judgment has clarified that while party nomination and membership remain internal affairs, INEC’s enforcement of the Electoral Act represents the rule of law and due process.
The PDP Youth Rescue Movement said INEC’s swift implementation of the apex court judgment by recognizing registers and primaries conducted in compliance with the law would restore public confidence in the electoral system.
“We respectfully urge the Commission to act swiftly to reaffirm its commitment to neutrality, transparency, and fairness to restore public confidence in the electoral system ahead of the 2027 elections,” the group added.
