Legal experts criticize Nigerian judiciary over election mandates

Legal experts, civil society leaders, and former electoral officials gathered at the 3rd Tunji Braithwaite Symposium in Lagos to criticize the Nigerian judiciary for undermining democratic mandates. Speakers, including retired Court of Appeal Justice Oludotun Adetope-Okojie and human rights advocate Chidi Odinkalu, argued that judicial decisions frequently overturn election results based on technicalities or procedural flaws, effectively stripping sovereignty from voters.

Justice Adetope-Okojie condemned the practice of nullifying elections due to minor discrepancies, noting that such rulings create legal instability and inconsistency. She urged the bench to interpret the Electoral Act in favor of maintaining the will of the people rather than voiding mandates.

Chidi Odinkalu specifically challenged the “wasted votes” doctrine, which allows courts to cancel election results. He described the practice as an “announcement of a coup on the people,” citing the 2019 Zamfara State governorship dispute as a primary example. In that instance, the Supreme Court overturned a victory secured by a 72 percent majority, awarding the position to a candidate who had received only 22 percent of the votes.