By Charles Adingupu
Despite calls by stakeholders in the Nigeria’s project to expedite hearing on the petitions by both the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar challenging the election victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the just concluded February 25 presidential poll before the May 29 inauguration, the Court had again adjourned the case.
It would be recalled that the ongoing Presidential Election Petition Court had on Monday fixed Wednesday for further hearing of Mr Obi’s petition against Mr Tinubu’s victory as Nigeria’s president-elect.
Prominent Nigerians in the likes of senior lawyer, Olise Agbakoba (SAN) and former Catholic Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Onaiyekan were at different fora vehemently kicked against the inauguration of the President elect while the case challenging his election victory at the Court is yet to be settled.
Mr Tinubu, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeated Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Obi of Labour Party (LP) in the 25 February presidential election.
A five-member panel of the court headed by Haruna Tsammani adjourned the petition until 17 May following a request by Mr Obi’s lawyer.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Livy Uzoukwu, Mr Obi’s lead lawyer, informed the court of an agreement by lawyers to parties in the petition to file and exchange necessary documents for a smooth hearing of the substantive petition.
Respondents’ lawyers – Abubakar Mahmoud (INEC), Wole Olanipekun (Mr Tinubu’s lawyer), Lateef Fagbemi (APC), all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), confirmed Mr Ozoukwu’s submissions before the court.
The court which had its inaugural sitting on Monday adjourned Mr Obi’s petition until Wednesday.
Mr Obi, who was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, came third in the election.
He is, however, challenging Mr Tinubu’s election as president-elect.
Mr Obi is praying the court to nullify the poll over allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act by Nigeria’s electoral commission, INEC.
The Labour Party candidate also accused INEC and Mr Tinubu of manipulating the poll in favour of the latter.
Also on Wednesday, the court dismissed a petition by the Action Peoples Party (APP). This came after the party’s lawyer, Obed Agu, announced the party’s decision to withdraw the case to the court.
The development leaves Mr Tinubu with three remaining petitions against his victory to battle in Court.
