By George Ozalla
The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), with support from the European Union (EU), has launched a comprehensive analysis of election petition litigation from Nigeria’s 2023 general elections on Wednesday 9th.April, 2025 in Abuja. The report examines over 1,400 election petition cases, shedding light on key trends, legal barriers, and recommendations to improve the electoral justice system.
The analysis reveals that the 2023 general elections saw a significant number of petitions, with 327 cases filed nationwide. It also highlights challenges faced by litigants, including the burden of proof in election petition cases. To address these issues, PLAC recommends strengthening the electoral justice system and improving the legal framework governing election petitions.
At the report’s launch, Gautier Mignot, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, represented by Reuben Alba Aguilera, reaffirmed the judiciary’s crucial role in ensuring electoral integrity. He further expressed optimism that the report would enhance judicial process and reassured the EU’s commitment to supporting an independent judiciary.
Senator Abiodun Sharafadeen Alli, Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, who was represented by the Clerk to the Committee, praised PLAC for its ingenuity in analyzing petitions from the 2023 general elections. He further stated that the report would serve as a guide for Nigeria’s electoral process and legislative interventions on electoral justice.
Executive Director of PLAC, Mr. Clement Nwankwo, provided an overview of the analysis, highlighting its key findings and recommendations. Nwankwo decried the increased reliance on courts in determining electoral outcomes and advocated for reforms to address this challenge, improve democracy, and electoral justice.
The event was attended by representatives from civil society organizations, government agencies, and other critical stakeholders, who commended PLAC for its dedication to promoting transparent, fair, and credible electoral processes. The report’s findings and recommendations are crucial in addressing the complexities of Nigeria’s electoral processes. By examining the legal landscape surrounding election petitions, PLAC’s analysis provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for improvement.
The report equally highlights the 21-day limit for filing election petitions, which some argue is too short for petitioners to gather evidence and build strong cases. This has led to calls for the timeframe to be extended to give petitioners more time to prepare their cases. PLAC’s analysis of election petition litigation from Nigeria’s 2023 general elections is a significant contribution to the country’s electoral reform efforts.
The report’s findings and recommendations can help stakeholders, including policymakers, legal practitioners, and civil society organizations, work towards improving the electoral justice system and promoting good governance in Nigeria. Highlights of the event included the public presentation of the report, group photographs, and panel discussions.
