Elect Leaders Through Ballots, Not Courts — EU Tells Nigeria

The European Union (EU) has advised Nigeria to strengthen its democratic process by ensuring that leaders are elected through the ballot box rather than via court rulings.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, made this known during the launch of a new report titled “From Ballot to the Courts: Analysis of Election Petition Litigation from Nigeria’s 2023 General Elections”, organised by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Represented by Ruben Alba, Acting Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mignot emphasized that excessive reliance on the judiciary to determine electoral outcomes undermines the credibility of elections and weakens the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He noted that logistical shortcomings and conflicting court decisions make it harder for INEC to perform its duties effectively. “Leaders should be elected through the ballot and not by the courts,” he said.

Mignot, however, acknowledged the positive impact of the judiciary on Nigeria’s democracy through landmark rulings. Still, he stressed the need for consistency, transparency, and efficiency in the judicial process, especially regarding election-related cases.

He added, “The judiciary has a critical role in upholding constitutional responsibilities and protecting democratic values. However, for the system to work, citizens must also stay informed and actively hold institutions accountable.”

Earlier, PLAC Executive Director Clement Nwankwo presented a comprehensive analysis of judgments delivered by Election Petition Tribunals, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court stemming from the 2023 general elections. The report aims to assess how judicial decisions have influenced Nigeria’s electoral integrity.