Tribunal Adjourns Obi’s Petition to Wednesday

The Presidential Election Tribunal, Abuja has adjourned the petitions of Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Action Peoples Party (APP) to Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Both parties are challenging the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressive Congress as the winner of the 25th of February presidential election.

The adjournment follows the withdrawal and consequent dismissal of the petition by the Action Alliance.

Details of Obi’s Petition 

The Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are challenging the outcome of the election on the grounds that Tinubu was not qualified to contest the elections “for an offence involving dishonesty, namely narcotics trafficking imposed by the United States District Court.” They also cited non-compliance with the electoral laws as well as the guidelines of INEC.

What you need to know about APP’s Petition

APP is challenging the results of the presidential election on the grounds of irregularities, including alleged mutilation of election results. They also claim that Tinubu was not qualified to stand for the said election having knowingly supplied false information”, including the alleged falsification of age and educational qualifications.

They further argued that the first respondent was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes cast at the election. Also, they stated that the corrupt practices by the staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and voter inducement, among others, affected the outcome of the elections adding that the election was characterised by “monumental vote buying”

Representatives present at the hearing

The national legal adviser of the APP, Peter Abang, represented the Action Peoples Party, while Obed Agu announced appeared as the party’s legal representative. Labour Party’s national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh, appeared as LP’s representative; and Livy Uzoukwu appeared for Obi.

For the respondents, Wole Olanipekun stood in for Bola Tinubu; Lateef Fagbemi for the APC; and Abubakar Mahmoud for INEC. Also, May Agbamuche-Mbu appeared on behalf of INEC; Simon Lalong, the Plateau State governor, appeared for the APC.