The All Progressives Congress (APC), Tinubu, and INEC’s legal representatives objected to the results’ admissibility.
In spite of opposition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Presidential Election Petitions Court in Abuja on Wednesday admitted additional state results sheets as evidence in the petition filed by Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP), to overturn President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the presidential election on February 25.
Obi, who was present in court to observe proceedings, finished behind PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar, who is also contesting Tinubu’s victory, in the poll.
The PDP’s legal counsel highlighted reservations about INEC’s challenge to the admissibility of the petitioners’ sought-after papers at the petitions’ resumed hearing on Wednesday.
Obi and his group displayed scorecards from additional states. The All Progressives Congress (APC), Tinubu, and INEC’s legal representatives, however, objected to the results’ admissibility and fiercely opposed the presentation of the result sheets.
The attorneys advised the court that when adopting their final written addresses, they would explain their disagreement.
INEC and other respondents raised objections to the PDP’s submission of papers in a related lawsuit.
As the respondents requested time to review the witness statements in preparation for cross-examining them, the party’s attempt to call some witnesses was also met with resistance.
The Labour Party’s attorney stated intends to introduce further evidence at the next adjourned date after admitting the materials in spite of the opposition.
The PDP’s legal representative had reservations about INEC’s stance about its documents.
The court, presided over by Justice Haruna Tsammani, postponed further proceedings until June 8, 2023 after accepting the documents into evidence.
