The pre-hearing of the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Atiku Abubakar, its presidential candidate, against Bola Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APc) has been postponed until Thursday, May 11, 2023, by the Presidential Election appeal Court.
The PDP and Atiku are contesting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Tinubu as the president-elect in the petition with the file number CA/PEPC/05/2023.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, Bola Tinubu, and the APC are listed as the petition’s first through third respondents, respectively.
The petitioners’ attorney, Mr. Chris Uche (SAN), noted during Tuesday’s sessions that they filed and served a motion dated May 7 asking for a live broadcast of the presidential tribunal proceeding.
He noted that the application is a motion of priority, which requires immediate attention given the national importance of the issue at hand.
“We urge your Lordship to set it down for hearing and adoption as soon as the court’s business may allow.”
On his part, counsel for the 2nd respondent, Lateef Fagbemi said they received the application and “we are taking steps to respond appropriately to the application.”
Responding further, Uche argued that he was just hearing that the 2nd and 3rd respondents have filed on the matter adding that in the spirit of cooperation, they are prepared to accept service in the open court.
“We pray that the parties don’t insist on the maximum length of time if we are to make progress.”
However, Fagbemi reacted to his claim and objected to it. According to him; “The motion was filed by 9:30am and not in the open court. If he said counsels should cooperate, we will follow the time and we will not flout the rules.”
Consequently, Justice Tsammani asked parties to settle all issues for objections and determination responding that the application for a live broadcast of the proceeding “will be considered together with the other issues.”
He thereafter adjourned the pre-hearing of the petition against Tinubu to Thursday, May 11, 2023, by 2pm.