The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has inaugurated members of the Election Petition Tribunals ahead of the 2027 General Elections, urging them to uphold judicial independence and deliver impartial judgments in resolving electoral disputes.
According to a report by Channels, the inauguration took place at the Body of Benchers Auditorium in Abuja, alongside the unveiling of the second edition of the Judicial Electoral Manual and a specialised training programme for judicial officers.
Addressing the newly appointed tribunal members, Kekere-Ekun reminded them of their responsibility to dispense justice without fear or favour, stressing the need to resist political interference and remain faithful to their judicial oaths throughout the electoral process.
She identified the presidential and national assembly elections as scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls are fixed for February 6, 2027. Access Services
The CJN warned that the constitutional and statutory deadlines governing election petitions require strict compliance, urging tribunal judges to avoid unnecessary adjournments and ensure effective management of cases.
She also cautioned lawyers, political parties, media organisations and members of the public against conduct capable of undermining judicial proceedings, including the abuse of ex parte applications and online campaigns intended to influence pending cases or intimidate judges.
Kekere-Ekun stressed that credible electoral dispute resolution requires the cooperation of all stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and legal practitioners. However, she maintained that the judiciary must remain focused on determining disputes based solely on the law and evidence presented before it.
Meanwhile, INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan highlighted the importance of election petition tribunals in maintaining public confidence in the electoral process and preventing political disagreements from escalating into wider crises.
Speaking at the three-day capacity-building workshop for justices and tribunal members in Abuja, Amupitan described the tribunals as essential constitutional mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes and reinforcing the rule of law.
He also drew attention to the growing complexities of election litigation, particularly the use of technology in the voting and result-management processes.
Amupitan noted that systems such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) have strengthened electoral transparency but warned that emerging digital threats would require greater judicial awareness.
He specifically identified artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes and other forms of digital misinformation as challenges that could complicate electoral disputes and affect public confidence in election outcomes.
The workshop is expected to strengthen the capacity of judicial officers to handle election-related cases, interpret electoral laws, and address emerging legal and technological issues ahead of the 2027 polls.
Credit: tvcnews.tv
