The pre-hearing of the petitions contesting the results of the February 25 presidential election has commenced at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal Abuja, and security has been stepped up.
As members of the Nigerian Police Force roped off the road leading to the court, Obasanjo News24 noted that security surrounding the facility is essentially impermeable.
The Action Alliance (AA) and Solomon David Okanigbuan, the AA’s presidential candidate in the election, informed the tribunal of their intention to withdraw their petition against the declaration of Tinubu as Nigeria’s president-elect after the tribunal’s unveiling, which was the first case to be decided from the Cause list.
Along with Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Hamza Al Mustapha are included as respondents in AA’s suit.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Bola Ahmed Tinubu are the three respondents to the Action People’s Party (APP) petition, which is also scheduled for the pre-hearing session.
Following it would be one from Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP), with the case number CA/PEPC/03/2023 and the respondents INEC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Kashim Shetima, and APC.
The next group to attack Tinubu would be the Allied People’s Movement (APM).
INEC, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kashim Shetima, and one Kabir Masari are the defendants in APM’s petition.
With INEC, Tinubu Bola Ahmed, and the APC listed as three respondents, Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have CA/ PEPC/05/2023, which would be given last treatment.
The presiding Justice Haruna Tsammani, who chairs a five-member panel of Justices, opened the court pre-hearing at around 9:15 a.m.
Justice Stephen Adah, Justice Misitura Bolaji-Yusuf, Justice Boloukuoromo Moses Ugo, and Justice Abbah Mohammed are additional panelists.
Justice Tsammani insisted that the panel will fairly decide the case and counseled the attorneys against using dramatic language.
He also pleaded for their assistance, noting that the matter was time-sensitive and cautioning them against filing frivolous applications that would take up the court’s valuable time.
Peter Obi’s attorney, Livy Uzoukwu, and the counsels for the President-elect, Wole Olanikpekun and Chris Uche, respectively, assured the court of their complete cooperation and support.
He came to the conclusion that everyone would be happy with the outcome of the case.
Security guards were stationed outside the Court of Appeal in Abuja during the preliminary hearing of the petitions contesting the results of the presidential election on February 25.
