IJAP Advocates Electoral Reforms Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Independent Judicial Accountability Panel (IJAP), chaired by Rtd. Justice Mojeed Adekunle Owoade, has urged for significant electoral and judicial reforms in Nigeria to bolster accountability and transparency in the electoral process as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

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

Owoade also advocated for constitutional recognition of independent candidacy to mitigate political godfatherism and enhance electoral participation. He called for provisions allowing citizens to initiate public interest actions regarding electoral breaches and suggested unbundling the Chief Justice of Nigeria's office to promote transparency within the judiciary.