The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday dismissed the application by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) asking the court to strike out PDP’s petition against President Buhari, because the petitioners failed to join the name of the Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo.
The Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, are challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mr Abubakar is asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the February 23 presidential election.
According to him, the electoral umpire connived with the ruling party to rig the election.
The five-member panel led by Garba Mohammed, who read the lead ruling, said it was not necessary for Mr Osinbajo to join in the petition.
The application had four grounds upon which it was filed.
Among the four grounds are: that the vice president is an indispensable party to the petition and that his fair hearing would be breached should a decision be reached without his input.
That Section 137 (2) of the Electoral Act makes Mr Osinbajo a vital part of the petition.
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