Electoral Hub urges tribunal judges to be neutral, fair

Electoral Hub urges tribunal judges to be neutral, fair

…advises political parties, media, civil society

Successive elections in Nigeira have been widely characterized by contestations and the effort towards their amicable resolution through the judiciary. Events in the aftermath of the 2023 general election, held February 25 and March 18, 2023 across the country allude to this. The election, albeit lauded for attempts towards improving transparency, produced results that sparked contestations and grievances amongst contestants, citizens, civil society actors and other critical stakeholders in the country. In response, four (4) of the eighteen (18) political parties (and their candidates) that partook in the 2023 general presidential elections turned to the judiciary for resolution of disputes. The National Judicial Council (NJC) under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Olukayode Ariwoola had constituted a total of 257 Judges to hear petitions arising from the 2023 general election[1].

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Monday May 8, 2023, marks the onset of proceedings for the 2023 election petition tribunals. Interlocutors, political commentators, and historical antecedents have widely reiterated the importance of election judicial process in the country’s democracy. As previous experiences have shown, tribunal rulings could either nullify the election or uphold the results of the polls by dismissing petitions, making it almost as important as the voting process itself. It is, therefore, important that the judicial process in the election tribunals is conducted in conformity with extant provisions to produce just outcomes. This points to two critical issues which stakeholders must not lose sight of as the judicial process proceeds:

• The need for compliance with extant legislations guiding the process, and
• The need for an ‘unbiased’ and open judiciary.

Recognizing the above and in line with The Electoral Hub’s commitment to promoting electoral knowledge, accountability, and electoral integrity, we call on all stakeholders to discharge their duties conscientiously and conform with the rule of law. The Electoral Hub specifically call on the judicial panelists, political parties and their candidates, civil society actors and organisations, and the general public to take steps towards ensuring the credibility of the election judicial process.