Nigeria’s Chief Justice Inaugurates 375 Judges for 2027 Election Tribunals

Nigeria’s judiciary has intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections after Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun administered the oath of office to 375 judges assigned to Election Petition Tribunals. The Monday ceremony was held at the Body of Benchers Auditorium in Abuja and coincided with the presentation of the second edition of the Judicial Electoral Manual and a specialized training workshop for judicial officers. At the event, Kekere-Ekun urged the newly inaugurated judges to protect judicial independence, withstand political influence and decide cases fairly. She told tribunal members that constitutional requirements, judicial ethics and the rule of law must guide their work. The Chief Justice also warned political parties, lawyers, media organizations and members of the public against conduct that could undermine the judicial process. She singled out misuse of ex parte applications and organized online campaigns intended to sway pending cases or intimidate judicial officers. Kekere-Ekun said election petition disputes must be resolved on the basis of evidence and relevant legislation, not public sentiment or political pressure, and she reminded the judges of the need to manage cases efficiently within statutory deadlines. Court of Appeal President Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem gave details of the tribunal panels, saying the 375 judicial officers include 138 judges with previous election tribunal experience and 237 newly nominated members from judicial institutions across the country. Dongban-Mensem said a credible electoral cycle depends heavily on impartial, effective and timely dispute resolution mechanisms, and she urged the judges to remain aware of intense public scrutiny. Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan addressed technical challenges expected to complicate upcoming election litigation, particularly artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes and disputes over electronic transmission of results. He stressed the importance of strong cooperation between the electoral commission and the judiciary to protect democratic institutions and maintain public trust. The 2027 general elections are scheduled to begin with Presidential and National Assembly elections on January 16, 2027, followed by Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.