ABUJA: The Court of Appeal has inaugurated 375 judges who will serve on election petition tribunals ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, scheduled to begin in 68 days.
The inauguration, held on Monday, November 9, 2026, at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja, is part of preparations by the judiciary to ensure the timely and effective resolution of electoral disputes that may arise from the forthcoming elections.
The judges will be responsible for adjudicating petitions filed by candidates, political parties and other aggrieved parties challenging the outcomes of elections across the country.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, described the exercise as a significant institutional preparation for one of the judiciary’s most consequential responsibilities in Nigeria’s democratic process.
She said the inauguration represented a collective commitment to constitutional democracy, the rule of law and the integrity of the country’s electoral system.
According to her, the credibility of democracy depends not only on the conduct of elections but also on the availability of impartial, effective and timely judicial mechanisms for resolving disputes arising from the electoral process.
She emphasised that election petition tribunals play a critical role in protecting the people’s mandate, upholding constitutional supremacy and sustaining public confidence in democratic governance.
Justice Dongban-Mensem stated that the judiciary must remain committed to fairness, independence and professionalism in handling electoral disputes, particularly given the intense political interests often associated with election litigation.
She also reminded the newly inaugurated judges that their conduct and decisions would attract considerable public scrutiny, urging them to demonstrate integrity, impartiality and strict adherence to the law in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Providing details of the composition of the tribunal panels, the Court of Appeal President disclosed that the 375 judges were nominated from different courts and judicial institutions across Nigeria.
She explained that 138 of the judges had previously served on election petition tribunals, while 237 were newly nominated members.
The composition, according to the court, combines the experience of returning judicial officers with fresh appointments to strengthen the capacity of the tribunals ahead of the 2027 electoral process.
The establishment of election petition tribunals is backed by Section 285(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
The provisions empower the President of the Court of Appeal to constitute election petition tribunals to adjudicate disputes arising from National and State Houses of Assembly elections, as well as governorship elections.
Similarly, Section 134(3)(a) and (b) of the Electoral Act 2026 provides timelines relating to the constitution of tribunals and the opening of their registries.
These legal provisions establish the framework through which electoral disputes are presented, examined and determined by the judiciary.
The tribunals are expected to provide an avenue for candidates and political parties dissatisfied with election outcomes to seek legal redress rather than resorting to unlawful actions or violence.
The inauguration comes as political activities and preparations intensify across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With electoral contests expected to generate significant political competition, the responsibility of the judiciary will extend beyond simply hearing petitions to ensuring that electoral disputes are resolved within constitutionally prescribed timelines.
The credibility of the 2027 elections will therefore depend not only on the conduct of the electoral authorities and political actors but also on the ability of the judiciary to deliver independent, transparent and timely decisions.
As the country approaches another major electoral cycle, the 375 inaugurated judges face the responsibility of protecting electoral justice, defending constitutional principles and strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
