The Independent Judicial Accountability Panel (IJAP) has recommended a two-level system for handling election disputes involving National Assembly and governorship elections, with the Court of Appeal serving as the final court except in exceptional circumstances.

The panel made the recommendation at the conclusion of its fifth session in Abuja on Thursday, as part of broader proposals aimed at improving transparency, accountability and efficiency in Nigeria’s electoral and judicial systems.

According to the panel, petitions arising from House of Representatives, Senate and governorship elections should be heard at two levels, with appeals terminating at the Court of Appeal before a five-member panel.

It added that an aggrieved party should only be permitted to approach the Supreme Court in exceptional circumstances and with the leave of the court.

The panel, chaired by retired Justice Mojeet Owoade, also renewed its call for the restructuring of the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to prevent excessive concentration of powers and strengthen transparency within the judiciary.

It proposed that deputies be appointed for heads of courts, with their responsibilities clearly defined.

On electoral participation, IJAP recommended a five-year restriction on former officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from engaging in partisan politics after leaving the commission.

It called for an amendment to Section 156(1)(a) of the Constitution to extend the restriction to former political appointees and INEC staff who retired at directorate level.

The panel also advocated constitutional recognition of independent candidacy, arguing that the move could reduce political godfatherism and broaden citizens’ participation in elections. However, it said conditions should be established to prevent an excessive number of candidates from contesting elections.

IJAP further proposed that citizens be empowered to institute public interest litigation over alleged breaches of the Electoral Act and the Constitution in the conduct of elections.

The panel also urged the National Assembly to adopt verifiable voting records instead of voice votes when deciding constitutional matters requiring a specific majority. It maintained that INEC should not be made a statutory respondent in election petitions.

The recommendations followed the panel’s engagement with the Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Prof. Dakas Dakas, during its review of earlier reform proposals.

IJAP said its first report focused on the judges who handled the 2023 presidential election petitions, while its second ongoing review is examining judges recently recommended for appointment to the appellate courts.

The panel added that it had undertaken advocacy visits to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Nigerian Law Reform Commission to advance its proposed judicial reforms.

It said the Federal Ministry of Justice had expressed willingness to collaborate on implementing recommendations that align with its existing reform priorities.

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, IJAP said it would continue engaging citizens to monitor election outcomes and the judiciary’s handling of electoral disputes.