The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Monday inaugurated 375 judges nominated to serve on Election Petition Tribunals ahead of the 2027 general elections, charging them to uphold the rule of law and dispense justice without fear or favour.
The inauguration, held at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja, came 68 days before the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and 89 days before the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027.
The ceremony also featured the unveiling of the second edition of the Judicial Electoral Manual and a specialised capacity-building workshop for the tribunal judges.
Of the 375 judges inaugurated, 138 are returning members with previous election tribunal experience, while 237 are newly nominated from various courts and judicial institutions across the country.
Addressing the judges, Justice Kekere-Ekun urged them to remain faithful to their judicial oaths, resist political and other external pressures, and ensure that electoral disputes were determined strictly in accordance with the law and evidence.
She stressed that the constitutional and statutory timelines governing election petition cases required strict adherence, leaving no room for unnecessary delays or poor case management.
The CJN also cautioned legal practitioners, political parties, media organisations and members of the public against unethical practices, including the abuse of ex parte applications and media campaigns designed to prejudge cases or intimidate judicial officers.
Emphasising that the credibility of democracy depended on collective responsibility, she said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the legal profession must discharge their respective statutory responsibilities conscientiously.
She, however, maintained that the Judiciary’s responsibility was to resolve electoral disputes impartially, based strictly on the law and evidence presented before it.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, described the inauguration as a significant institutional preparation for one of the most consequential responsibilities entrusted to the Judiciary.
She said the credibility of democracy depended not only on the conduct of elections but also on the existence of impartial, effective and timely mechanisms for resolving disputes arising from the electoral process.
According to her, through the fair determination of election petitions, the Judiciary safeguards the people’s mandate, upholds constitutional supremacy and sustains public confidence in democratic governance.
Justice Dongban-Mensem urged the tribunal judges to appreciate the enormous responsibility placed on them, noting that their conduct and decisions would attract considerable public scrutiny.
The inauguration is pursuant to the constitutional framework governing the establishment of Election Petition Tribunals.
Section 285(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, provides for the constitution of tribunals to adjudicate disputes arising from National and State Houses of Assembly and governorship elections.
Similarly, Section 134(3)(a) and (b) of the Electoral Act, 2026, stipulates timelines for the constitution of the tribunals and the opening of their registries.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the inauguration of the 375 judges is aimed at strengthening the Judiciary’s preparedness to handle post-election disputes within the strict timelines prescribed by law.
