A total of 375 judges have been selected to serve on election petition tribunals ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, as the judiciary begins preparations for disputes that may emerge from the electoral process.
The judicial officers were inaugurated on Monday at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem.
The tribunals will be responsible for adjudicating petitions arising from elections into the National and State Houses of Assembly, as well as governorship contests.
The establishment of the tribunals is backed by Sections 285(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. Section 134(3)(a) and (b) of the Electoral Act 2026 also outlines the timelines for setting up the tribunals and opening their registries.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dongban-Mensem described the inauguration as a crucial step in preparing the judiciary for its role in protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
She emphasised that public confidence in elections depends not only on how votes are conducted but also on the fairness, impartiality and timeliness of the judicial process for resolving electoral disagreements.
The Court of Appeal President urged the judges to uphold the highest standards of integrity and impartiality, noting that their conduct and rulings would be closely scrutinised by Nigerians.
She further disclosed that 138 of the 375 judges had previously served on election petition tribunals, while 237 would be undertaking the responsibility for the first time.
