2027 Elections: 375 Judges Sworn In For Election Petition Tribunals
With 68 days to the 2027 general elections, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, on Monday inaugurated 375 judges to serve on Election Petition Tribunals across the country.
The tribunals are expected to adjudicate disputes arising from the 2027 National and State Houses of Assembly as well as governorship elections.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja, underscored the judiciary’s preparedness to handle electoral disputes and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
Speaking at the event, Dongban-Mensem described the inauguration as more than a ceremonial exercise, noting that it represented an important institutional preparation for one of the judiciary’s most consequential responsibilities.
She said the credibility of democracy depended not only on the conduct of elections but also on the availability of impartial, effective and timely mechanisms for resolving disputes arising from the exercise.
According to her, the fair determination of election petitions remains critical to protecting the people's mandate, upholding constitutional supremacy and sustaining public confidence in democratic governance.
She urged the judges to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, fairness and professionalism, warning that their conduct would attract considerable public scrutiny.
Dongban-Mensem disclosed that the 375 judges were drawn from various courts and judicial institutions across the country.
She said 138 of them were returning members with previous election tribunal experience, while 237 were newly nominated.
The President of the Court of Appeal is constitutionally empowered under Section 285(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to constitute Election Petition Tribunals to hear disputes arising from National and State Houses of Assembly and governorship elections.
Similarly, Section 134(3)(a) and (b) of the Electoral Act 2026 provides timelines for the constitution of the tribunals and the opening of their registries.
The tribunals are expected to adjudicate disputes arising from the 2027 National and State Houses of Assembly as well as governorship elections.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja, underscored the judiciary’s preparedness to handle electoral disputes and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
Speaking at the event, Dongban-Mensem described the inauguration as more than a ceremonial exercise, noting that it represented an important institutional preparation for one of the judiciary’s most consequential responsibilities.
She said the credibility of democracy depended not only on the conduct of elections but also on the availability of impartial, effective and timely mechanisms for resolving disputes arising from the exercise.
According to her, the fair determination of election petitions remains critical to protecting the people's mandate, upholding constitutional supremacy and sustaining public confidence in democratic governance.
She urged the judges to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, fairness and professionalism, warning that their conduct would attract considerable public scrutiny.
Dongban-Mensem disclosed that the 375 judges were drawn from various courts and judicial institutions across the country.
She said 138 of them were returning members with previous election tribunal experience, while 237 were newly nominated.
The President of the Court of Appeal is constitutionally empowered under Section 285(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to constitute Election Petition Tribunals to hear disputes arising from National and State Houses of Assembly and governorship elections.
Similarly, Section 134(3)(a) and (b) of the Electoral Act 2026 provides timelines for the constitution of the tribunals and the opening of their registries.
