Presidential Election Tribunal: Key rulings delivered so far
The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal is currently giving its verdict on the petition filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in the February 23 general election.
The five-man panel of justices led by Mohammed Garba has been reeling out the judgements since when the proceedings started at 9.30am.
These are highlights of the key rulings the tribunal has delivered so far:
- Tribunal unanimously dismissed INEC’s motion asking Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to be joined in the petition, ruling that a vice presidential candidate is not a necessary party in an election petition but an appendage of the presidential candidate who nominated him.
- The Tribunal dismissed INEC’s motion arguing that Atiku’s lead counsel, Livy Uzoukwu, was not a legal practitioner called to the Nigerian Bar.
- Tribunal holds that Atiku is qualified to contest the election Tribunal refuses INEC’s request to dismiss Atiku’s prayer seeking Buhari’s disqualification on the ground that he was not qualified to contest the election.
- Tribunal strikes out Atiku’s application on police and military interference, harassment and intimidation.
- Tribunal dismissed President Buhari’s application that Atiku was not qualified to file the petition challenging his election, ruling that Atiku is qualified to filed the petition.
- The Tribunal dismissed Atiku’s application accusing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo of inducing voters with the TraderMoni scheme, ruling that it does not have jurisdiction over the matter.
