Presidential Election: Court refuses INEC’s request to strike out Atiku’s petition for excluding Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) has refused a motion by INEC for the striking out of the petition by Atiku Abubakar and the PDP for excluding Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as a party to the petition.

In the court’s first ruling of the day, on a motion filed by INEC, held that Osinbajo could only be classified as interested party, by not a necessary and unavoidable party, as claimed by INEC.

Justice Mohammed Garba, the court’s Presiding Justice, who read the lead ruling, held that since President Muhammadu Buhari and APC were parties in the petition and represented by lawyers, it was unnecessary to add Osinbajo as a party.

Justice Garba held that the motion was without merit and dismissed it.