The Nigerian judiciary has inaugurated 375 judges to handle election-related disputes arising from the 2027 general elections, in a move aimed at strengthening the electoral process and ensuring timely resolution of post-election cases.
The judges were inaugurated on Monday at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja as part of preparations for the forthcoming general elections.
The panel comprises 138 judges with previous experience in election petition tribunals and 237 newly nominated members drawn from various courts and judicial institutions across the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, described the exercise as a critical institutional step towards protecting Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
She said that the credibility of elections depended not only on the conduct of voting but also on the impartial and timely resolution of disputes arising from the process.
According to her, the judiciary has a responsibility to uphold constitutional supremacy, strengthen the rule of law and maintain public confidence in democratic governance.
Dongban-Mensem urged the judges to discharge their responsibilities with integrity and impartiality, noting that their conduct would attract considerable public scrutiny.
Under the Constitution, the President of the Court of Appeal is empowered to constitute election petition tribunals to adjudicate disputes arising from elections into the National and State Houses of Assembly, as well as governorship contests.
The inauguration is part of the judiciary’s preparations to address legal challenges that may follow the 2027 general elections and ensure that electoral disputes are resolved in accordance with the law.
