CJN Kekere-Ekun Swears In 2027 Election Tribunal Judges, Warns Against Political Intimidation
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has officially administered the oath of office to members of the Election Petition Tribunals for the 2027 General Elections during a ceremony at the Body of Benchers Auditorium in Abuja. The event also featured the launch of the second edition of the Judicial Electoral Manual and a specialized training workshop for judicial officers.
Justice Kekere-Ekun charged the judges to uphold their oaths, resist political pressure, and enforce strict case management to meet mandatory statutory timelines. Noting key election dates—the Presidential and National Assembly elections on January 16, 2027, followed by Governorship and State Assembly polls on February 6, 2027—the CJN cautioned legal practitioners, political parties, and the public against abusive court applications, media trial campaigns, and attempts to intimidate the bench.
Attending the workshop, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan emphasized that election tribunals serve as vital constitutional safeguards for maintaining public trust. He noted that while technological tools like BVAS and IReV enhance transparency, tribunals must also prepare to navigate emerging digital threats, including AI-generated deepfakes and online misinformation campaigns.
