The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in newly nominated members of the Election Petition Tribunals for the 2027 general elections, charging them to uphold judicial independence and dispense justice without fear or favour.

The 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.

The CJN urged judicial officers to adhere strictly to their oaths of office, resist external political pressure, and administer justice impartially as the country prepares for another major electoral cycle.

Highlighting the importance of the forthcoming elections, Justice Kekere-Ekun confirmed that the presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections were scheduled for February 6, 2027.

Addressing the newly sworn-in tribunal judges, she stressed that statutory and constitutional timelines governing election petitions left no room for unnecessary delays or poor case management.

The CJN also called on legal practitioners, political parties, media organisations, and members of the public to refrain from unethical practices, abuse of ex parte proceedings, and online media campaigns designed to prejudge cases or intimidate judicial officers.

Emphasising that electoral integrity was a collective responsibility, Justice Kekere-Ekun said that while the electoral commission, security agencies, and the Bar must discharge their statutory responsibilities conscientiously, the Judiciary’s duty was to resolve disputes strictly in accordance with the law and the evidence presented before it.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has emphasised the importance of cooperation between electoral management and judicial adjudication in ensuring credible elections.

Speaking at the three-day workshop for justices and tribunal members in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, described election petition tribunals as essential constitutional safeguards for resolving electoral disputes, de-escalating political tensions, and sustaining public confidence in the rule of law.

Addressing the growing complexities of electoral litigation, Amupitan highlighted the intersection between modern voting technology and emerging digital threats ahead of the 2027 elections.

He noted that while systems such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) had enhanced transparency, the Judiciary must also contend with sophisticated digital threats, including artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes and other forms of misinformation that could undermine the electoral process.