The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in judges who will handle electoral disputes arising from the 2027 general elections, charging them to dispense justice without fear, favour, pressure or intimidation.
The swearing-in ceremony took place on Monday at the Body of Benchers Auditorium in Abuja, alongside the launch of the second edition of the Judicial Electoral Manual and a specialised capacity-building workshop for judicial officers.
Addressing the judges, Kekere-Ekun urged them to uphold their oaths of office and ensure that all election-related disputes were determined strictly in accordance with the Constitution, applicable laws and available evidence.
She emphasised that the statutory and constitutional timelines governing election petitions required strict adherence, warning that delays and poor case management could undermine the effective administration of electoral justice.
The CJN also cautioned lawyers, political parties, media organisations and members of the public against unethical conduct, particularly the abuse of ex parte applications and online campaigns designed to prejudge cases or intimidate judicial officers.
According to her, protecting Nigeria’s democracy requires collective commitment from all institutions and stakeholders involved in the electoral process.
She specifically called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the legal profession to discharge their statutory responsibilities conscientiously and without fear or favour.
Kekere-Ekun, however, maintained that the judiciary must remain impartial, stressing that its responsibility was to resolve electoral disputes based on the law and evidence presented before the courts.
The development comes as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are expected to hold on February 6, 2027.
The early preparation of judges and the launch of the revised Judicial Electoral Manual are aimed at strengthening the judiciary’s capacity to handle election disputes within the strict timelines prescribed by law.
The CJN’s message is clear: electoral justice must be delivered independently, impartially and within the time allowed by the Constitution, regardless of the political interests involved.
