Appraising the quagmire of conflicting judgments of courts in election matters in Nigeria

Abstract

Election litigations are on the increase and the resultant conflicting judgments in some cases have been the subject of media and academic debates. Conflicting judgments rendered by courts in electoral matters pose significant challenges to the integrity of democratic processes. This may be due to inability to document judgments of courts for proper referencing as judicial precedent in similar matters. The research method adopted in this paper was the doctrinal method. This study aimed at conducting appraisal of conflicting court judgments in electoral disputes, identifying the underlying causes, examining the implications, and exploring potential strategies to promote consistency and predictability in judicial decision-making. Findings revealed several contributing factors, including inconsistent interpretation of electoral laws, lack of adherence to judicial precedents, political influences and constraints within the judiciary. It was based on the findings that the following recommendations were made to wit: for legal reforms, capacity building, adherence to precedents, and enhancing transparency in the judicial process.