Nigeria’s judiciary has stepped up preparations for the 2027 general elections as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, swears in 375 judges nominated to serve on the Election Petition Tribunals.
The judges were inaugurated on Monday at the Body of Benchers Auditorium in Abuja, where the CJN charged them to uphold judicial independence, resist political interference and administer justice without fear or favour.
The ceremony also featured the launch of the second edition of the Judicial Electoral Manual and the opening of a specialised capacity-building workshop for judicial officers.
CJN Warns Against Political Interference
Addressing the newly inaugurated tribunal members, Kekere-Ekun emphasised the need for strict adherence to constitutional provisions, judicial ethics and the rule of law.
She warned lawyers, political parties, media organisations and members of the public against unethical practices capable of undermining the judicial process.
The CJN specifically cautioned against the abuse of ex parte applications and online campaigns designed to influence pending cases or intimidate judicial officers.
She stressed that election petition cases must be determined strictly on the basis of evidence and applicable laws, rather than political pressure or public sentiment.
Kekere-Ekun also reminded the judges that statutory timelines governing election disputes require effective case management and must not be compromised by unnecessary delays.
138 Returning Judges, 237 Newly Nominated
Speaking at the event, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, disclosed that 375 judicial officers had been nominated to serve on the election tribunals.
According to her, 138 of the judges have previous election tribunal experience, while 237 are newly nominated members drawn from various courts and judicial institutions across the country.
Dongban-Mensem described the inauguration as an important institutional preparation for the responsibilities that would follow the 2027 elections.
She maintained that credible elections require not only a transparent voting process but also impartial, effective and timely mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes.
She further urged the judges to remain conscious of the public scrutiny their conduct and decisions would attract.
2027 Election Dates Confirmed
The 2027 general elections are scheduled to begin with the Presidential and National Assembly elections on January 16, 2027.
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will follow on February 6, 2027.
The inauguration of the tribunal judges comes as Nigeria prepares for another electoral cycle, with the judiciary expected to play a critical role in resolving disputes arising from the polls.
Meanwhile, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, highlighted emerging challenges that could complicate election litigation, particularly artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes and disputes involving electronic transmission of election results.
He stressed the importance of cooperation between the electoral commission and the judiciary in protecting democratic institutions and sustaining public confidence in the electoral process.
