Former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has raised concerns over public perception of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in electoral disputes, stressing that while its decisions are constitutionally final, they must also command public confidence to sustain democracy.
Osinbajo stated this on Wednesday during a fireside chat session titled “Guardians of the Scale: Independent Courts, Trusted Justice and a Stronger Nation” at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Legal Practice holding in Lagos. The session was moderated by Yinka Omoregbe.
Osinbajo acknowledged that under Nigeria’s constitutional framework, decisions of the Supreme Court in electoral matters are final and not subject to appeal.
However, he warned that finality does not automatically translate to infallibility in the eyes of the public.
“The Supreme Court is final, not because it is always right, but because there must be an end to litigation,” he said, noting that the doctrine is essential for political stability.
Despite this constitutional position, Osinbajo expressed concern that controversial judgments in election petitions have, at times, weakened public confidence in the judiciary.
According to him, when citizens perceive electoral decisions as inconsistent with fairness or popular expectations, it creates a legitimacy gap that can undermine democratic governance.
“What is critical is that people must trust the process and the outcome,” he emphasised.
He reiterated that the credibility of the judiciary depends not only on legal correctness but also on transparency and clarity in judicial reasoning.
For electoral cases in particular, Osinbajo said judgments must be written in a manner that is accessible and convincing to the general public, not just legal experts.
“If the ordinary citizen cannot understand why a decision was reached, confidence in the system is eroded,” he said.
Given the far-reaching implications of electoral rulings, Osinbajo stressed that justices of the apex court carry an extraordinary burden.
Election cases, he noted, often determine political leadership and can shape the trajectory of governance, making it imperative for the court to exercise utmost diligence and fairness.
He called for continuous improvement in the quality of judicial decision-making, including better training, rigorous appointment processes, and enhanced accountability mechanisms.
According to him, strengthening the judiciary institutionally will reduce controversies and reinforce its role as an impartial arbiter.
Osinbajo also pointed to the responsibility of legal practitioners, noting that the quality of advocacy and the conduct of lawyers in election petitions significantly influence judicial outcomes.
He urged members of the Bar to uphold the highest ethical standards, warning that poor advocacy and sharp practices contribute to public distrust in court decisions.
He concluded that Nigeria’s democracy ultimately depends on a judiciary that is both authoritative and trusted.
While the Supreme Court’s decisions must remain final to ensure certainty, Osinbajo stressed that credibility, transparency, and public confidence are indispensable to preserving the integrity of electoral justice.
“Finality must go hand in hand with fairness,” he said.
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