- Panel Reiterates Urgent Need for Comprehensive Electoral Reforms
The Independent Judicial Accountability Panel (IJAP), chaired by Hon. Justice Adekunle Owoade (Rtd), has commended the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, for his recent call to end the era of “courtroom elections” and restore credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, IJAP described Professor Amupitan’s position — that elections must be won at the polling units, not in the courtroom — as both courageous and reform-driven, aligning with the panel’s long-standing recommendations for improving post-election justice delivery in Nigeria.
The panel said the persistent fragility of Nigeria’s electoral system stems largely from inconsistencies in the application of legal principles of fairness and equity. “We strongly urge the new INEC leadership to prioritise urgent reforms that will ensure pre-election matters are concluded before election day, strengthen internal party democracy, and enforce compliance with electoral laws,” IJAP stated.
Highlighting key recommendations from its Citizens’ Led Engagement on Judicial Accountability in Post-Election Justice Delivery (CLEAP – Justice), IJAP proposed:
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That all pre-election disputes be determined before voting to avoid multiple legal actions and administrative confusion.
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That redress for House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship pre-election matters should end at the Court of Appeal, while Presidential cases should begin at the Court of Appeal and conclude at the Supreme Court.
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That party primaries conducted in violation of INEC rules be invalidated, with erring political parties barred from contesting public office for up to five years.
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That INEC regulations be separated from guidelines and properly gazetted.
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That serious electoral offences attract penalties severe enough to disqualify candidates and parties involved.
While acknowledging ongoing legislative efforts — including bills before the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review and the proposed Electoral Bill 2025 — the panel stressed that increasing fines for electoral offences was not enough. “Mere fines are inadequate deterrents, especially for wealthy political actors. Only the automatic disqualification of culpable candidates and parties can restore integrity to Nigeria’s elections,” IJAP warned.
Justice Owoade further argued that one of the critical steps to ending courtroom elections is for INEC to cease being a statutory party in election petitions, allowing it to function strictly as an impartial electoral umpire. “Professor Amupitan has a unique opportunity to institutionalize long-overdue reforms and reinforce INEC’s independence. This is the moment to safeguard the people’s will as expressed at the polling units, not the whims of courtroom verdicts,” he said.
IJAP reaffirmed its commitment to supporting INEC and the judiciary in building a transparent, accountable, and justice-driven electoral process that truly reflects the choices of Nigerian voters.
