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The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in members of the Election Petition Tribunals before the 2027 general elections, warning them against political pressure and intimidation.
Kekere-Ekun gave the warning on Monday during the inauguration ceremony at the Body of Benchers Auditorium in Abuja. The event also featured the launch of the second edition of the Judicial Electoral Manual and a specialised training workshop for judges and tribunal members.
According to Channels Television, the CJN urged the judges to uphold their oaths of office and deliver justice without fear or favour as the country prepares for the elections.
She stressed that constitutional and statutory deadlines for handling election petitions must be respected. She also warned that delays and poor case management could affect the timely resolution of disputes.
Kekere-Ekun urged lawyers, political parties, media organisations and members of the public to avoid unethical conduct. She specifically warned against abusing ex parte applications and online campaigns aimed at influencing cases or intimidating judges.
She also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the legal profession to carry out their duties responsibly.
However, she maintained that the judiciary must resolve election disputes based strictly on the law and available evidence. The CJN confirmed that the presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on January 16, 2027. Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
Meanwhile, INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan said Election Petition Tribunals remain important for resolving political disputes and maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
Amupitan spoke at the three-day workshop for justices and tribunal members in Abuja. He described the tribunals as constitutional bodies that help reduce political tensions and protect public trust in the rule of law.
He also highlighted the growing challenges facing election cases, especially the use of technology and digital misinformation.
The INEC chairman said technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal had improved transparency in elections.
However, he warned that the judiciary must prepare for emerging threats, including artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes and misinformation.
The inauguration and workshop come as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, with the tribunals expected to handle disputes arising from the polls.
