A Civil Society Organisation (CSO) known as The Electoral Hub on Wednesday tasked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to display neutrality, transparency and openness in the Presidential Election Tribunal proceedings. Also, the group charged the CJN to ensure that the judicial panelists under him shunned sentiments in discharging their responsibility.

The Election Hub also called for an open judicial process and electoral justice for Nigerians.

In a statement on the 2023 Presidential Election Tribunal, it observed that, "Successive elections in Nigeria have been widely characterized by contestations and the effort towards their amicable resolution through the judiciary." The group also observed that the aftermath of the 2023 general elections of February 25 and March 18, 2023, across the country, produced results that sparked contestations and grievances amongst contestants, citizens, civil society actors and other critical stakeholders in the country.

In response, four of the 18 political parties and their candidates that partook in the 2023 general Presidential election turned to the judiciary for resolution of disputes.

Sequel to this, the National Judicial Council (NJC) under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, had constituted a total of 257 Judges to hear petitions arising from the 2023 general election.

It noted that with the beginning of proceedings for the 2023 election petition tribunals on Monday, May 8, 2023: "Interlocutors, political commentators, and historical antecedents have widely reiterated the importance of election judicial process in the country’s democracy."

“As previous experiences have shown, tribunal rulings could either nullify the election or uphold the results of the polls by dismissing petitions, making it almost as important as the voting process itself. It is, therefore, important that the judicial process in the election tribunals is conducted in conformity with extant provisions to produce just outcomes,” the group stated.

It reiterates two critical issues in the judicial process, such as:

"The need for compliance with extant legislations guiding the process, and “the need for an ‘unbiased’ and open judiciary."

In the statement signed by Princess Hamman-Obels, Director, IRIAD,

The Electoral Hub insisted on the process aiding to promote electoral knowledge, accountability, and electoral integrity, as the group "calls on all stakeholders to discharge their duties conscientiously and conform with the rule of law."

Specifically, it called on the judicial panelists, political parties and their candidates, civil society actors and organisations, and the general public to take steps towards ensuring the credibility of the election judicial process. It said: "Our expectations at The Electoral Hub include the following: that Judicial Panel Adhere to the ethics of the Bench and legal profession, by acting in compliance with guiding principles of the Bench, display neutrality and uphold principles of the rule of law.

"Comply with legal frameworks guiding the election adjudication at all times,

avoid all actions that may be perceived as unfair and biased; Justice should not only be done but also seen to be done; political parties and candidates avoid inciteful comments that could heat up the polity, ignite violence and threaten lives and properties; respect the laws guiding the process and be willing to accept the outcome of the process.”

It equally added that "Civil Society Organizations

engage judicial, political, and electoral stakeholders to ensure compliance with relevant legal frameworks, monitor the process to ensure fairness and openness through sustained advocacy or other best practices; support the process with research and information about best practices; create awareness by disseminating relevant information; curb misinformation and fake news about the process through fact-checking and sharing correct information, as well as the Media monitoring of the process and provide accurate reportage of proceedings.”

The Electoral Hub further wants the Media to “create awareness and educate the public; ensure fairness and openness of the process through sustained media advocacy; collaborate with CSOs in curbing misinformation and fakenews about the process; that citizens Discharge their civic responsibility by closely following the process and engaging issues with patriotism and demand for accountability and transparency from actors and institutions involved in the 2023 electoral judicial process.

It also advocated for "engaging stakeholders to ensure compliance with relevant legal frameworks and ensuring good conduct while exercising active citizenship as Nigerians.”

"In conclusion, as the tribunal proceedings continue, we urge the Judges to uphold values of neutrality and fairness. We also demand that the Election Tribunal process be made public to ensure transparency and openness as this would enhance fairness and credibility.

"We also urge the media, and other civil society actors to disseminate the right information by deploying fact-checking tools to prevent misinforming the general public," the group demanded

•Presidential Election Tribunal Judges

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