AMIDST objections from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Presidential Election Petitions Court in Abuja admitted in evidence, today, results sheets from more states in the petition by the Labour Party (LP)’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, seeking to overturn President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 presidential election.
Obi, who was in court to observe proceedings, finished third in the poll, trailing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nominee, Atiku Abubakar, who is also contesting Tinubu’s victory.
At the petitions’ resumed hearing today, the PDP’s lawyer raised concern about INEC’s objection to the admissibility of documents sought by the petitioners.
Obi and his party provided results from additional states. However, the presentation of the result sheets was met with vigorous opposition from counsels representing INEC, Tinubu, and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), who raised objections to the results’ admissibility.
When adopting their final written addresses, the lawyers told the court that they will provide the cause for their objection.
INEC and other respondents objected to the admissibility of evidence produced by the PDP in a similar suit.
The party’s attempt to call some witnesses was also met with opposition, as the respondents requested time to analyze the witnesses’ statements for purposes of cross-examination.
Despite the objections, the Labour Party’s lawyer remained optimistic, announcing plans to present further documents at the next adjourned date.
The PDP’s counsel, on his part, expressed reservations about INEC’s stance on its materials.
The court, which was presided over by Justice Haruna Tsammani, adjourned further hearing to June 8, 2023, after accepting the documents into evidence.
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