IJAP Advocates Electoral Reforms Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Independent Judicial Accountability Panel (IJAP), chaired by Rtd. Justice Mojeed Adekunle Owoade, has called for significant reforms in Nigeria's electoral and judicial systems to enhance accountability and transparency in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

During a briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Owoade proposed that election petitions for the House of Representatives, Senate, and governorship elections should conclude at the Court of Appeal, with the possibility of appealing to the Supreme Court under exceptional circumstances. He suggested a five-year ban on former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) political appointees and staff from engaging in partisan politics post-retirement, requiring an amendment to Section 156(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution.

Owoade also advocated for the constitutional recognition of independent candidacy and the establishment of public interest actions for citizens regarding electoral breaches. He reiterated calls for restructuring the judiciary, including unbundling the Chief Justice of Nigeria's office and creating deputy positions for heads of courts.

Additionally, he urged the National Assembly to adopt ascertainable recording of votes for constitutional decisions and recommended that INEC should not be a statutory respondent in election petitions.