The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in members of the Election Petition Tribunals for the 2027 general elections, charging them to uphold judicial integrity and resist political interference.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Body of Benchers Auditorium in Abuja, coincided with the launch of the second edition of the Judicial Electoral Manual and a specialised capacity-building workshop for judicial officers.
Justice Kekere-Ekun urged the tribunal judges to remain faithful to their oaths, administer justice without fear or favour, and withstand external pressures as the country prepares for the 2027 elections.
She emphasised the importance of strict compliance with constitutional and statutory timelines, warning that election petition proceedings must not be undermined by unnecessary delays or poor case management.
The CJN also highlighted the electoral timetable, noting that the Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
She called on lawyers, political parties, media organisations and members of the public to avoid unethical practices, abuse of ex parte proceedings and online campaigns designed to prejudge cases or intimidate judicial officers.
Justice Kekere-Ekun stressed that safeguarding democracy requires collective responsibility, with electoral institutions, security agencies and the legal profession expected to discharge their duties conscientiously.
She maintained that the Judiciary’s responsibility is to resolve electoral disputes strictly in accordance with the law and evidence presented before the courts.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has underscored the importance of effective collaboration between electoral management institutions and the Judiciary in ensuring credible elections and strengthening public confidence.
Speaking at the three-day workshop for justices and tribunal members in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, described election petition tribunals as critical constitutional mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes, reducing political tensions and sustaining public trust in the rule of law.
Amupitan highlighted the growing complexities of electoral litigation, particularly the intersection of voting technology and emerging digital threats.
He noted that technological platforms such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) have continued to improve transparency, but stressed that judicial officers must also be equipped to address evolving challenges.
These include artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes and other forms of digital misinformation capable of complicating electoral disputes and threatening the integrity of the election process.
The workshop is aimed at strengthening the capacity of judicial officers to handle election-related cases and prepare for the legal and technological challenges expected during the 2027 electoral cycle.
