ROLE OF ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNAL IN NIGERIA ( A CASE STUDY OF THE THE 2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION)

This research critically examines The Role of the Election Petition Tribunal in Nigeria, using the 2023 Presidential Election as a case study. The study explores the legal, political, and institutional mechanisms through which the tribunal functions in resolving electoral disputes, with particular attention to the challenges encountered, the tribunal's interpretation of constitutional provisions especially the 25% vote requirement in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the broader implications for electoral justice and democratic consolidation in Nigeria. It investigates how the tribunal addressed allegations of electoral malpractice, noncompliance with the Electoral Act and issues surrounding digital evidence, public perception, and judicial impartiality. Drawing on doctrinal legal analysis, empirical case review, and scholarly commentary, the research finds that while the tribunal plays a pivotal role in safeguarding electoral integrity and ensuring post-election accountability, its effectiveness is constrained by procedural delays, political interference, technological limitations, and public skepticism. The study concludes by offering recommendations for strengthening the electoral justice system in Nigeria, including reforms in legal interpretation, enhanced digital infrastructure, and greater public engagement with tribunal processes.