PEPC Adjourns Pre-Hearing On Atiku, PDP Petition To May 18

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Presidential Election Petition Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned further pre hearing of the petition by Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Atiku Abubakar, to May 18.

Atiku and the PDP are seeking cancellation of the February 25, presidential election, claiming it was married by widespread electoral irregularities, and conducted in substantial none compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.

Atiku Abubakar entered the PEPC at about 8:55AM in the company of Acting National Chairman of PDP Ambassador Umaru Illiya Damagun, former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, former Adamawa state Governors Boni Haruna and Jubrilla Bindow, Kogi state PDP governorship candidate Dino Melaye, former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus, Raymond Dokpesi, former Niger state Governor Babangida Aliyu etc.

Counsel to Atiku, Chris Uche said the day’s sitting was for continuation of pre hearing session.

“We are happy to report that for a seamless progression of the pre hearing session, counsel for various parties in the petition met, agreed, harmonised and streamlined the vital areas or components of the pre hearing conference.

“The first item resolved by the various counsel in the petition is the issue of documents, wherein we agreed and set up a team together to look at the documents, Uche reported.

He said they counsel agreed on the documents in order to eliminate objections while tendering from the bar and during hearing.

“We intend to conclude on Tuesday, he said.

Uche reported to the court that the second item discussed and agreed upon, were issues for trial.

“For the petitioners, we have filed on May 11, and served on all the parties subject to any modification by the PEPC.

“Lastly, with respect to motions pending before the PEPC, we have one motion, that’s the one seeking for live broadcast of PEPC filed on the 7th of May 2023, and we are yet to receive the reponses from the respondents.

“All together, we have been served with four motions, two from the 1st and another two from the 3rd respondent.

“We are preparing our response” Uche said.

The INEC’s lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud confirmed the report by Uche and confirmed recieving issues for determination just as he promised to file his issues for determination before the end of Thursday. He admitted recieving the application for live broadcast, saying he will be filing reply, adding that counsel agreed that all application be fixed for Thursday.

“We have applications seeking the PEPC to strike out some portions of the pleadings by the petitioners, Mahmoud said.

On his part, Wole Olanipekun, counsel to Tinubu and APC equally confirmed the report of Uche that they all met and agreed on the conduct of hearing.

“We have assured the petitioners that before Monday, we will serve them with two applications.

“On the application for live broadcast of the PEPC, Olanipekun said they will reply accordingly.

Similarly, the APC counsel also confirmed the report by Uche that they all agreed on sorting out documents to ensure a seamless pre hearing seasion.

The APC lawyer told the court that he filed filed issues for determination on May 10, stressing that what has been served on the petitioner by the 3rd respondent are motions seeking dismissal, striking out and removal of some pleadings by the petitioners.

On the motion for live telecast of PEPC sittings, he assured of sending in his reply on Monday.

After taking submissions of counsel, Chairman of PEPC, Justice Haruna Tsammani, thanked the parties for what they have done to so far to expedite hearing of the petition.

He then adjourned to May 18 for continuation of pre hearing session.