Panel backs call for end to ‘courtroom elections’
The Independent Judicial Accountability Panel (IJAP), led by Retired Hon. Justice Adekunle Owoade (rtd), has backed the recent statements made by the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan SAN, regarding the need to end the era of endless court battles over election results. IJAP, in a release signed by […]
Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
The Independent Judicial Accountability Panel (IJAP), led by Retired Hon. Justice Adekunle Owoade (rtd), has backed the recent statements made by the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan SAN, regarding the need to end the era of endless court battles over election results.
IJAP, in a release signed by Hon. Justice Owoade, described Professor Amupitan’s emphasis on the necessity for robust legal frameworks, genuine internal democracy within political parties, and his challenge that “Elections must be won at the polling units, not in the courtroom,” as a welcome and highly encouraging mandate.
The body noted that this commitment aligned with the extensive recommendations developed through its rigorous analysis of post-election justice delivery in Nigeria.
It said its independent assessment showed that one key to ending courtroom elections “is that INEC should not be a statutory party in election petitions. Professor Amupitan has the unique opportunity to leverage the judiciary’s expertise, as envisioned by IJAP, to institutionalise these reforms.
“This is the moment for INEC to act decisively and cement its position as a truly independent umpire, safeguarding the will of the people expressed at the polling unit, not the whims of lawyers in the courtroom.”
IJAP’s position, articulated during its 3rd session (September 30 – October 3, 2025), noted that the current fragility of the country’s electoral process “is deeply rooted in the lack of consistency with legal principles of fairness, equity, and compliance with the electoral legal framework.”
It urged the new INEC leadership to immediately prioritise the critical recommendations made by the Technical Working Group of the Citizens’ Led Engagement on Judicial Accountability in Post-Election Justice Delivery in Nigeria (CLEAP – Justice).