The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has issued a stern warning to the 375 judges inaugurated to handle election petitions ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that Nigeria will no longer tolerate politicians allegedly purchasing through courtrooms what voters denied them at the ballot box.
The association warned that any judge who turns the courtroom into a marketplace for electoral victories would be undermining democracy, betraying the Constitution and assaulting the sovereignty of the Nigerian people.
HURIWA said the 2027 elections must not produce winners determined by financial inducements, political influence or questionable judicial decisions rather than the votes cast by Nigerians.
It insisted that politicians who lose elections must not be allowed to manipulate the judicial process to overturn the people’s choices.
In a strong reaction to the inauguration of the 375 judges, its National Coordinator in a statement indicated that the judicial officers were being entrusted with the future of Nigeria’s democracy and must resist every attempt by desperate politicians to compromise their integrity.
The association expressed concern over allegations that some politicians might attempt to influence election petition proceedings through financial inducements and backroom arrangements.
It warned that judicial corruption must not be allowed to hide behind complicated legal arguments or controversial judgments.
HURIWA called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to intensify vigilance around credible allegations of suspicious financial transactions and attempts to compromise election tribunal proceedings.
It also urged the Code of Conduct Bureau to strengthen lawful scrutiny of asset declarations by judges handling election disputes.
According to the association, unexplained wealth and suspicious financial dealings involving judicial officers must attract serious attention, particularly during an election cycle.
HURIWA maintained that judicial officers must understand that the constitutional protection attached to their offices does not amount to immunity from legitimate public accountability.
The rights group also challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections in 2027 and prevent avoidable disputes that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
It urged the commission to resist political pressure, address operational weaknesses and ensure that declared results accurately reflect votes cast at polling units.
HURIWA specifically challenged INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to demonstrate institutional independence and ensure that the 2027 elections are not overshadowed by political interference, disputed results and prolonged litigation.
The association argued that election tribunals were established to resolve genuine disputes, not to routinely determine political winners because electoral institutions failed to protect the people’s mandate.
The warning followed Monday’s inauguration of 375 judges at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja to serve on election petition tribunals ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, disclosed that 138 of the judges were returning members with previous tribunal experience, while 237 were newly nominated.
She said the credibility of democracy depended not only on the conduct of elections but also on impartial, effective and timely mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes.
HURIWA recalled that Sections 285(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, provide for the constitution of election petition tribunals to handle disputes arising from National and State Houses of Assembly and governorship elections.
The association also cited Sections 134(3)(a) and (b) of the Electoral Act 2026, which provide timelines relating to the constitution of tribunals and the opening of their registries.
HURIWA warned that the decisions of the 375 judges would have consequences beyond the immediate political interests of contestants, insisting that public confidence in the judiciary was at stake.
It said no amount of legal sophistication should be used to disguise injustice or legitimise electoral fraud.
The association maintained that the responsibility of every tribunal judge was to uphold the Constitution, respect the evidence and protect the mandate freely given by voters.
It declared that no politician should be allowed to buy what Nigerians have refused to give through the ballot box.