Respecting Judicial Independence in Electoral Matters

By Okoi Obono-Obla 

1. Respecting Judicial Independence in Electoral Matters

The desperate actions of some political parties and politicians—especially those who believe that if events do not go their way, they must drag institutions and even the country down—are troubling. In their pursuit, they have attempted to pull the judiciary, particularly the apex court, into the fray because their case is pending before it. The matter has been adjourned for judgment to enable the justices to craft a decision that reflects the importance of the case in the country’s electoral jurisprudence and political party management.

Ordinarily, a panel of five justices is assigned to handle an appeal. They conference, deliberate, and then one judge is tasked with preparing and delivering the lead judgment, which others may either concur with or dissent from. This process requires time for thorough research and reflection. It is therefore misplaced for politicians to insinuate or suggest that delays are deliberate.

Judges must be allowed to deliver their judgment one way or the other, and the heavens will not fall. Politicians should desist from stampeding the court or attempting to pressure the judges. It is disconcerting that a party to the appeal would write to the Head of the Judiciary urging that a judgment be delivered simply because the appeal was heard on 22 April 2026 and already adjourned for judgment. Why attempt to stampede the court into delivering in an impetuous manner, even though this matter is vital and could serve as a trajectory for future judicial precedent in similar cases? Those behind this move should tarry a while, reflect, and weigh their approach carefully so as not to lay a foundation that others might later exploit.

There are 22 political parties in Nigeria; let them stop giving the impression that this particular party is already the government‑in‑waiting, when there is nothing on ground to justify such arrogance and presumptive behaviour. The judiciary should not be suffocated or intimidated by fabricated stories designed to discredit it.

Fiat justitia ruat caelum — Let justice be done, though the heavens fall.

Conclusion: The integrity of the judiciary lies in its independence. Political actors must respect this process, for only then can democracy thrive.