Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), sitting in Abuja has fixed September 13, 2019 as judgement Day for Buhari and Atiku. The Tribunal Judgement slated for September 13 will determine if President Muhammadu Buhari will remain in power or not.
The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his party had in February 23 filed a petition challenging his victory.
7-Member Panel determine Buhari, Atiku fate
Seven-member panel of justices of Court of Appeal, headed by Justice Muhammed Garba, last week chose September 13. The Tribunal fixed judgement date after the APC and PDP adopted their final written addresses.
Election petitioners must filed its petitions, get hearing and determined within 180 days as stated in the Electorial Art.
The petitioners joined the Independent National Electoral Commission, Buhari and the All Progressives Congress as first to third respondents.
Ground of objections on which PDP petition APC
Ground of objections on which the petition was anchored include non-compliance with the electoral laws, intimidation and suppression of voters.
Atiku claimed he won the presidential poll going by results obtained from INEC’s central server. PDP wanted the Tribunal to nullify Buhari’s election and pronounce Atiku winner.
PDP invites 62 witnesses, tenders 50,000 documents
July 19, Atiku and his party closed their case after calling 62 witnesses. The PDP tendered over 50, 000 documents to prove its case of alleged rigging, over voting and non-compliance with electoral guidelines.
The 62 witnesses called include a foreign Information, Communication and Technology ICT) expert from Kenya, David Ayu Nyango. And a local data analyst, Joseph Gbenga to testify of PDP’s agents at the unit, wards, local and State levels.
INEC and APC did not invite any witness in their defense. Buhari abruptly closed his defense after calling seven witnesses and tendered some documents.
Buhari requested the Tribunal to dismiss the petition filed by Atiku and his party challenging his election for lack of evidence and merits.
