Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar is in court as the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) will be hearing the petition against Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory.
Atiku was present at the pre-hearing session as the Tribunal began with his petition against the President-elect, Tinubu as proceedings got underway.
Atiku was accompanied by Liyel Imoke, former Cross River State governor, Bonny Haruna, ex-Adamawa State governor, Babangida Aliyu, ex-Niger State governor and Uche Secondus former Chairman of the PDP, among other dignitaries and party stalwarts among the entourage.
When the various parties announced their appearances, Atiku appeared for himself and Ambassador Umar Damagun represented the PDP.
Atiku and the PDP through their counsel, Chris Uche informed the Tribunal that all the parties in the suit have met and constituted a team to harmonize and streamline vital areas and components of the pre-hearing session.
The first of the areas resolved by the counsels is that documents are to be tendered in order to eliminate objections while tendering them from the bar and during the hearing and they have prepared a schedule of documents to facilitate that.
The second item is the issue of trial which the petitioners say they filed theirs on May 11 and served on parties.
Chris Uche said the only motion pending on the petitioners’ part is on the televising of the proceedings of the Court. He stated that the responses of the respondents-INEC, Tinubu, and APC are still being awaited.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through counsel Abubakar Mahmoud SAN said it will file its response to the motion on live telecast of proceedings before the end of the day.
Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said theirs will be ready by Monday 15 May.
