The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has postponed the continuation of the pre-hearing regarding the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar against President-elect Bola Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
The pre-hearing has been shifted to Thursday, May 18, 2023.
In the petition, identified as CA/PEPC/05/2023, the PDP and Atiku are challenging the declaration of Tinubu as the president-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The respondents listed in the petition include INEC, Bola Tinubu, and the APC.
During the court session on Thursday morning, Chris Uche, the counsel for Atiku and PDP, indicated an interest in the matter.
He stated, “I have the permission of Wole Olanikpekun to indicate interest first in number 2.”
The court also heard an application for live coverage of the proceedings, and the respondents said they would file their responses before Monday.
Justice Tsammani therefore commended the parties for their cooperation and agreement, saying it would assist in the quick conclusion of the pre-hearing session.
Atiku was in court on Thursday to observe proceedings in the case he filed to challenge the outcome of the 2023 presidential election
Accompanying the presidential candidate to the court to witness proceedings of the Tribunal were some stalwarts of the PDP.
These include the acting National Chairman, Iliya Damagum; former chairman, Uche Secondus; former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Liyel Imoke; PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologungba, former Governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna; and the party’s governorship candidate in the upcoming Kogi State election, Senator Dino Melaye, among others.
The PDP flagbearer is seeking, among other things, the withdrawal of the Certificate of Return that was issued to Tinubu by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Also, the former vice president filed an application for live coverage of the day-to-day proceedings of the election tribunal.
