
Atiku Abubakar: Tribunal says that it was unnecessary to sue Osinbajo along with Buhari
The Presidential Election Tribunal has given former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party victory in a ruling on a motion filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
In the motion, INEC had sought the dismissal of Atiku and PDP’s petitions because they failed to join the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, in their petitions against President Buhari and the electoral umpire.
The motion was filed on 5 May.
However, chairman of the tribunal, Justice Garba Mohammed, reading the verdict said the vice president would have been superfluous in the petition.
The court held that the vice president is not a necessary party in an election petition, saying as an appendage to the candidate, he rises and falls with the candidate
INEC in its motion had argued: that the vice president is an indispensable party to the petition and that his fair hearing would be breached should a decision be reached without his input.
That Section 137 (2) of the Electoral Act makes Mr Osinbajo a vital part of the petition and that if not followed, the petition would be invalidated.
Atiku and PDP also trounced INEC over its motion asking the court to strike out the petitioners’ witnesses and documents, on the allegation that the person who signed the petition is not a lawyer.
INEC also called for the dismissal of other prayers of PDP. It includes the allegation of result manipulation, saying it was vague.
The tribunal ruled that the PDP lead counsel, Levi Uzoukwu’s name misspelt and that he is a legal practitioner called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982.
“I have noted the clauses and it is glaring that there is a seal of the NBA on the application. The name is Livinus Uzoukwu showing that the seal is valid.”
The tribunal further ruled that Atiku and PDP were in order in filing a petition on the alleged non-qualification of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Court ruled that Section 138 (1) (a) of the Electoral Act allows for the filing of the petition relating to the allegation of false information and therefore the tribunal was well within its powers to entertain the application and determine the details contained in the petition.
Join The Conversation
3 Comments
Buhari will be kicked out, he never won the presidential election
If the judiciary ruled otherwise, it goes to substantiate the belief that the judiciary have been compromised.
This is the time for the judiciary to be firm, forthright, precise and objective.
I take a stroll.
We’re waiting to see Buhari out.
Yes, thanks for your patience as you wait till 2023.
You May Like
Latest
Gunmen attack orphanage home, abduct 10 in Abuja
BBNaija’s Dorathy vacations in Dubai [pictures]
Reactions as Nigerian rapper Erigga welcomes son
New, more ‘virulent’ COVID-19 strain from U.K. – Expert warns
I have no hand in LASU VC selection process cancellation – Abiru
Portugal’s President re-elected for second term
COVID-19: Ethiopia reports 469 new cases
Mexican president tests positive for COVID-19
Education impacted by quality of infrastructure, learning environment – Fashola
Voters’ Registration: INEC cautions against fake news
Is there life after death? U.S. billionaire Bigelow stakes $1m to find out
Sunday Igboho, Fulani herdsmen and the threat of war: FFK
Fulani criminal gangs in Ondo State: Akeredolu will stand firm
COVID-19 cases slump in Nigeria, Edo only state with fatalities
Justin Bieber shares touching story of his arrest
You’ve not been forgotten: Ahmed Musa remembers late mum
Fitila enlists Korede Bello on visual for “Need You”
Fulani herdsmen: Ondo lawmakers declare support for Akeredolu
Want a career in the army? NDA opens admission portal
4 footballers, club president, pilot die in plane crash
Shock as National Institute for Sports Director, Dadi-Mamud, suddenly dies