Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has cautioned judges against associating with political parties or engaging in activities that could undermine their impartiality ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kekere-Ekun gave the warning on Monday in Abuja during the commencement of the 2026 legal year of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
She noted that election-related disputes often attract intense political pressure and emotions because of their potential consequences for candidates, political parties and the country.
The CJN urged judicial officers to handle such cases with fairness, restraint and strict adherence to the law, stressing that their conduct during the electoral period would attract public scrutiny.
She warned that judges must avoid political associations and any behaviour capable of creating doubts about their neutrality or giving the impression that they favour particular candidates or parties.
Kekere-Ekun also called on lawyers to exercise professionalism when handling political and electoral cases, particularly by avoiding forum shopping and the filing of multiple cases on the same issues in different courts.
According to her, such practices could result in conflicting court orders and weaken public confidence in the judiciary.
She emphasised that preserving the integrity and independence of the courts was essential as Nigeria prepares for another general election cycle.
The warning comes as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, with the judiciary expected to play a crucial role in resolving disputes that may arise before and after the polls.
