Yobe Chief Judge Inaugurates Tribunals for 2026 Local Council Election Disputes

Judicial authorities in Yobe State have inaugurated the formal bodies tasked with resolving legal challenges arising from the state’s recently concluded local government elections. Justice Gumna Kashim Kaigama, the Chief Judge of Yobe State, administered the oath of office to members of the Local Government Election Tribunal and the Appeal Panel during a ceremony held at the High Court of Justice in Damaturu, according to a report by Daily Post Nigeria.

The inauguration comes in the aftermath of local council polls conducted across the state on September 26, 2026. Attended by the State Grand Khadi and judges of the High Court, the event established the formal legal channels through which contested council seats and procedural challenges will be reviewed.

Jurisdiction and Judicial Mandate

Addressing the newly sworn-in judicial officers, Justice Kaigama outlined the precise division of authority between the two tiers of review. According to the Chief Judge, the initial election tribunal holds sole jurisdiction over hearing and ruling on original petitions arising directly from the local government polls. In turn, the appeal tribunal holds exclusive jurisdiction to hear and decide appeals resulting from the judgments delivered by the initial tribunal.

Justice Kaigama stressed the constitutional weight of their assignments, urging members to maintain neutrality and strictly follow their oaths of office. As reported by Daily Post Nigeria, the Chief Judge cautioned appointees to remain objective and steer clear of favoritism, bias, or discrimination. He instructed them to concentrate on what transpired on election day itself, emphasizing that the final resolution of any electoral challenge must place the will of voters at the forefront.

Leadership of the Panels

To oversee petitions across the state’s senatorial districts, specific judges were designated to lead the appellate proceedings. According to the reported appointments, the chairmen for the appeal panel include:

• Zone A: Justice Lawu Lawan
• Zone B: Justice U. Z. Mohammed
• Zone C: Justice H. L. L. Musa

For the initial election tribunal, six individuals were sworn in as chairmen: Ahmad Bahuya, Abba Bukar, Yahaya Bako, Mamman Shettima, Yusuf M. Garba, and Salisu Baffa Abubakar. The report did not disclose specific timeline deadlines for the filing or conclusion of the petitions.

The Dispute Resolution Process

In Nigerian sub-national politics, local government election tribunals provide an essential statutory mechanism for resolving electoral grievances without disrupting governance. By setting up structured panels for both first-instance hearings and subsequent appeals, state judiciaries aim to ensure that claims of irregularity, eligibility challenges, or result disputes are handled through orderly judicial evaluation.

With the tribunals now formally sworn in, candidates and political parties disputing the September 26 council results in Yobe are expected to submit their petitions within the timeframes established by state electoral laws.

Source: Daily Post Nigeria

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