Obi storms courtroom as presidential election petition tribunal begins today

Abuja, NIGERIA — Sooner than the presidential election petition tribunal begins sitting today, May 8, for the hearing of petitions challenging the controversial declaration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, as the president-elect, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, stormed the courtroom with his usual easiness, captivating smiles and courtesies.

No fewer than. 11 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and 37 Lawyers appeared before Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal for Labour party and Peter Obi.

On March 1, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Tinubu the winner of the February 25 presidential election.

The declaration was however rejected by two of the contending Presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. In separate petitions, Obi and Atiku have asked the tribunal to grant orders to void the election or declare them the winners of the polls.

In a 66-page petition, Atiku asked the court to cancel the election and order a fresh one due to alleged irregularities that marred the February 25 polls in thousands of polling units.

In the petition filed by his legal team led by Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), the former Vice president argued that as of March 1 when Tinubu was declared the winner of the election, the entire results and accreditation data from polling units had not been transmitted and uploaded by INEC.

On his part, Obi, in his petition, argued that the election was characterized by various irregularities, citing also the alleged non-qualification of Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, to contest the election.

The former governor of Anambra State also alleged that Tinubu failed to win a majority of lawful votes and also one-quarter of lawful votes cast in the FCT. He equally alleged that the election was largely conducted without complying with the provision of the law.

11 SANs 37 Lawyers appear for Peter Obi, Labour party

The legal team is headed by Dr Livy Uzoukwu (SAN).

They are S. T. Hon, SAN, J. S. Okutepa, SAN, Olumide Ayeni, SAN, Olalekan Ojo, SAN,. Audu Anuga, SAN

Others are . Prof. Agbo J. Madaki, Esq, Nguemu Uja, Esq, . Dayo Ashomibare, Esq, F. N. Ogbe, Esq, Precious Amukpo, Esq, David Agashua, Esq, Michaelson L. Hon, Esq, Olusola Ebisem