Presidential Tribunal Adjourns Atiku’s Case Hearing to Tuesday

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) has been actively hearing petitions challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu, who represented the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the February 25 presidential election. Notable petitioners include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the Labour Party with candidate Peter Obi, and the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM). The tribunal’s proceedings involve presenting witnesses and evidence to support the claims of irregularities in the election. Let’s dive into the latest updates from the tribunal.

Update 1: Adjournment of Hearing:
On Monday, the tribunal adjourned the hearing of Atiku’s case until Tuesday, June 6. The decision to adjourn was made to allow for the continuation of the hearing on a later date. The court reconvened at 2 pm to address other cases on its docket.

Update 2: Witness Testimonies:
During the proceedings, witnesses presented compelling testimonies that raised concerns about the integrity of the election. One witness revealed that the results sheet was altered after their signature was affixed, indicating potential tampering. Another witness highlighted the failure of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during the result uploading process. These testimonies shed light on potential discrepancies and irregularities in the electoral process.

Update 3: Challenging Results from Nasarawa State:
A witness from Nasarawa State, Ibrahim Mohammed Hamza, identified his signature on the INEC results sheet. However, he noted that the results sheet he signed did not have cancellations present on the sheet presented to him in court. This revelation suggests possible inconsistencies in the results recorded for Nasarawa State.

Update 4: Arguments and Cross-Examination:
The legal teams representing the respondents cross-examined the witnesses presented by the petitioners. The defense sought to challenge the witnesses’ claims and probe further into the accuracy of their statements. The witnesses maintained their positions, highlighting their concerns about the election process without compromising their stance.

Update 5: Resumption of Hearing:
Following a brief recess, the tribunal resumed its proceedings. The petitioners continued to call witnesses to support their case. These witnesses included individuals such as a medical doctor and businessman from Rivers State, a legal practitioner who served as the PDP state collation agent for Ebonyi State, and the PDP collation officer for Niger State.

Update 6: Presentation of Evidence:
The petitioners presented certified true copies of election results from various states, including Bayelsa, Oyo, Edo, Kogi, Adamawa, and Rivers. The evidence aimed to demonstrate possible discrepancies and undercounting of votes, particularly in favor of the respondents.

Update 7: Adjournment and Pending Matters:
As the day’s proceedings unfolded, the counsel for both parties requested an adjournment until Monday, June 5. The tribunal granted the request, allowing time for the parties to prepare further arguments and obtain relevant documents. Additionally, the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) vs. INEC, APC, and President Bola Tinubu case was adjourned to June 9 due to the unavailability of copies of a Supreme Court judgment related to the matter.

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal is actively considering the challenges raised by the petitioners regarding the 2023 presidential election. Witness testimonies and evidence presented during the hearings have shed light on potential irregularities and discrepancies in the electoral process. As the proceedings continue, it remains to be seen how these developments will influence the final outcome of the case. The adjournment provides an opportunity for both parties to gather necessary