Kwara CJ inaugurates LG Election Petition Tribunal

Kwara State Chief Justice Abiodun Adebara on Thursday swore in two sets of Local Government Election Petition Tribunals to hear electoral cases that may arise after the September 21, 2024 elections.

The Election Petition Tribunal consists of three members in both sets.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of the court held at the Kwara State Judiciary conference hall, the CJ charged the members of the bench to expeditiously dispose of the electoral cases.

He said: “Petitions are by their very nature peculiar from a public policy perspective.

“It is a requirement of the rule of law and part of the machinery of the democratic process that after every election there should be an electoral tribunal to ventilate and determine the disputes that may arise out of that election. The establishment of an electoral tribunal has always helped to ease anxieties and calm frayed nerves.”

He further stated that he and the Grand Kadi of the State are convinced that the state judicial officers selected to serve in the court are officers of proven integrity and competence.

Adebara, who said the non-inclusion of members of the Bar Association was not an affront to them, said they would be welcomed in the future.

The CJ further announced that an electoral register has already been set up at the High Court.

Responding on behalf of others, Chief Justice Jibril Bio Salihu expressed gratitude and appreciation to the state judiciary for its selection, promising that it would not be disappointed in the task assigned.

The members of the first bench of the tribunal included Jibril Bio Salihu, the chairman, while Muhammed Aluko and Adeniyi Moses were members.

The second panel of the electoral tribunal consisted of Abubakar Mohammed Ndakene, as chairman, and Adebola Mercy and Abdulhamid Olatunji, as members.