On Monday, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja commenced pre-hearing into the case of some aggrieved parties challenging the outcome of the February 25 presidential election.
This followed the declaration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Tinubu as the winner of the keenly contested poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His rivals – Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) rejected the result and are challenging the outcome in court.
The names of the Justices who will be presiding over the various petitions: the Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Haruna Tsammani and Justice Stephen Adah of the Court of Appeal Asaba division.
Others include Justice Misitura Bolaji-Yusuf, Court of Appeal also of Asaba Division; Justice Boloukuoromo Ugoh of Kano Division and Justice Abba Mohammed of Ibadan Court of Appeal.
On his part, the head of the five-man panel of justices, Justice Haruna Tsammani assured all parties involved that justice will be served.
In attendance at Monday’s pre-hearing are lawyers to the petitioners, journalist, Governor Simon Lalong of the APC and Mr Obi of the LP.
In their separate response, counsels to the President-Elect, Wole Olanikpekun; Atiku Abubakar, Chris Uche and Peter Obi, and Livy Uzoukwu, assured the court of their full cooperation and support in ensuring speedy hearing and determination of the petitions.
Meanwhile, the Action Alliance has withdrawn its petition against the President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
No reason was however given for the withdrawal.
