Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar on Thursday attended the hearing of petitions and applications at the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) sitting in Abuja.
The former Vice President was dressed in a suit and a red tie for the hearing.
Also present in court were the former governors of Adamawa, Niger and Cross River states, Boni Haruna, Babangida Aliyu and Liyel Imoke respectively. Another former governor of Adamawa state Jubrilla Bindow was also present.
Former national chairman of the PDP Uche Secondus, chairman of DAAR Communications Raymond Dokpesi, and governorship candidate of the PDP in Kogi State Dino Melaye also attended the sitting.
The tribunal heard Atiku and the PDP’s motions seeking live transmission of proceedings of the court as well as petitions challenging the outcome of the February 25 presidential election.
Atiku and the PDP are explicitly asking the court for an order directing the court’s registry and the parties on modalities for the admission of journalists and their equipment into the courtroom.
Atiku’s lawyers led by Chris Uche argue that the matter is of national concern and public interest, involving citizens and voters in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, who voted and participated in the election.
They also said that the matter is critical because the international community is also interested as regards the workings of Nigeria’s electoral process.
The court adjourned to May 18, 2023 for the continuation of the pre-hearing of Atiku’s petition against President-elect Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.
