SNOW TV NEWS DESK
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in judges who will preside over disputes arising from the 2027 general elections, urging them to remain impartial and resist any form of political pressure or intimidation.
The swearing-in ceremony took place on Monday at the Body of Benchers Auditorium in Abuja. The event also featured the unveiling of the second edition of the Judicial Electoral Manual and a specialized capacity-building workshop designed to prepare judicial officers for the legal challenges that typically follow general elections.
Addressing the judges, Kekere-Ekun reminded them of the enormous responsibility they would shoulder in resolving electoral disputes, stressing that their decisions must be guided strictly by the law and available evidence rather than political interests or public pressure.
She charged the newly inaugurated tribunal judges to uphold their oaths of office and administer justice without fear or favor, noting that the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process also depends on the independence and integrity of the judiciary.
The CJN particularly warned against unnecessary delays in handling election petitions, pointing out that constitutional and statutory deadlines leave little room for poor case management or prolonged proceedings.
She also expressed concern over practices capable of undermining judicial independence, including unethical conduct by legal practitioners and the misuse of ex parte applications and online campaigns designed to influence public perception or intimidate judicial officers before cases are decided.
Kekere-Ekun further called on political parties, lawyers, media organizations, and members of the public to respect the judicial process and avoid actions that could compromise the fair determination of electoral disputes.
According to her, protecting Nigeria’s democracy cannot be left to the judiciary alone. She emphasized that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the legal profession must also discharge their constitutional and statutory responsibilities responsibly and without favoritism.
She maintained that while the judiciary has a critical role in resolving post-election disagreements, its duty is to determine cases based on established laws and credible evidence.
The preparations come ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the presidential and National Assembly polls scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections are expected to take place on February 6, 2027.
With political activities expected to intensify ahead of the polls, the CJN’s warning highlights the importance of timely, transparent, and impartial adjudication in maintaining public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral and democratic institutions.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
