The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has sworn in 277 members of different Election Petition Tribunals for the 2023 general elections.
The swearing in ceremony took place on Monday at the capacity building workshop for Justice and Judges on election matters, held at the National Judicial Institute Abuja.
Justice Ariwoola while performing the ceremony charged them to conduct their affairs within the ambit of the law and the oath that has been administered on them as he as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, will not condone any act of recklessness, abuse of power and public distrust.
The CJN, told members of the tribunals that even though Judicial Officers are not known to possess some supernatural powers to perform wonders, the society still expects the impossible from them as members of Election Petition Tribunals, hence they should count themselves worthy to be entrusted with the humongous responsibility of deciding the fate of those that would be contesting elections into various political offices in the country in 2023
In his remarks, the Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission INEC Professor Mahmood Yakubu said the workshop in no small measure led to a better appreciation of the electoral processes, reduction in the spate of conflicting judgements as well as consequential reduction in the number of elections nullified and/or overturned after the election.
According to him, "I am glad that the judiciary and the Commission are once again collaborating on the eve of the forthcoming General Election.
He expressed profound appreciation to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola GCON, and other heads of courts for the sustained collaboration with the Commission.
Professor Yakubu noted that this workshop could not have come at a better time. It is exactly 109 days to the 2023 General Election holding in two phases: national elections (Presidential and National Assembly holding on 25th February 2023) and State elections (Governorship and State Assembly holding on 11th March 2023).
He said there has been a sharp reduction in the number of cases arising from that election and consequently a reduced number of elections nullified by the Election Petition Tribunals.
INEC Chairman said the Commission have studied the judgements of the Tribunals arising from both the 2019 General Election, the off-cycle Governorship elections and the bye-elections conducted so far and have identified areas where they need to do more to reduce litigations.
"As a result, we are witnessing increasingly less Court cases challenging the conduct of elections by the Commission. However, cases arising from the conduct of primaries for the nomination of candidates by political parties is on the increase.
"So far, we have been joined in about 600 cases relating to the conduct of recent primaries and nomination of candidates by political parties for the 2023 General Election. Only two weeks ago, one political party served about 70 Court processes on the Commission in one day seeking to compel us to accept the nomination or substitution of its candidates long after the deadline provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election had elapsed.
"Some of the cases will go up to the Supreme Court. The implication is that we are still dealing with issues of nomination of candidates thereby eating into vital rime for preparation of and procurement of sensitive materials for the materials. It also means that the Courts will be dealing with the same issues long after the General Election", he said.
He reassure the judiciary that the Commission will continue to abide by Court orders. However, strict adherence to stare decisis is critical as an Election Management Body.
The workshop was attended by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Justices of the Supreme Court, President of the Court of Appeal, Justices Court of Appeal, Chief Judges and Heads of Courts, Judges of High Court, Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and INEC National Commissioners.
