Presidential Election Poll: Tribunal shifts pre-hearing on PDP, APM’s petitions to May

The Presidential Election Petition Court has shifted pre-hearing in the petitions filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Peoples Movement (APM) to Thursday, May 11, 2023.

The five-member panel, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned after listening to the adoption of answers by all the counsels in the petitions.

Atiku and the PDP in the petition dated March 21, 2023 are challenging the outcome of the presidential election on Feb 25.

Respondents in the petition marked: CA/PEPC/05/2023 are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 1st, Tinubu, 2nd and the APC 3rd.

At the resumed pre-hearing, Chris Uche, SAN, counsel for the petitioners, Atiku and PDP adopted their answers in the pre- hearing filed on April 27.

He added that the filed Motion on notice dated May 7 and served on all the respondents for permission to televise the sitting nationwide.

Counsel to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud SAN adopted their answers in the pre- hearing information sheet filed on May 2.

Responding to the live coverage, he said they will await a former response.

Similarly, counsel to Tinubu, Akin Olujimi, SAN adopted their answers in the pre-hearing information sheet filed on May 2.

He added that they have some applications to strike out this petition in addition to others.

Responding to the live coverage prayed by the petitioners, he said they will reply at the appropriate time.

Lastly, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, counsel to APC also adopted their answers filed on May 2.

In paragraph 14 of the answers the 3rd respondent on May 8 filed two applications, one seeking the competent of the petition and dismissal of the petition.

He added that the 2nd one is seeking the striking out of the answers by the petitioners.

Responding to the motion for live coverage by the petitioners, he said they will reply at the appropriate time.

The panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned until Thursday for continuation of the pre-hearing session at 2 pm.

He advised parties to harmonise their answers for consideration at the next adjourned date.