Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally presented its request for the President of the Court of Appeal, Zainab Bulkachuwa, to recuse herself from the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
The request was made known on Wednesday when the court held a closed-door meeting with parties in the suit.
PDP counsels led by Levi Ozoukwu told the court that Bulkachuwa could be biased because of a statement she had made at the tribunal’s inaugural sitting on May 8.
Bulkachuwa had said: “No matter how elections were conducted, there was bound to be conflicts.”
The petitioner’s lawyers argue that she might have resigned to accept the outcome of the election even before arguments are presented.
PDP also said they wanted Bulkachuwa out because of her alleged ties with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
She is married to Mohammed Bulkachuwa who controversially replaced Usman Tuggar who had earlier won the APC primaries for Bauchi North Senatorial District.
Following the replacement, Mr Bulkachuwa won the seat at the elections conducted in February.
Lead counsel for the respondents, Wole Olanikpekun, and the other respondents also said they would like to make a formal response to PDP’s application.
Bulkachuwa later adjourned till May 22 for hearing of PDP’s request.
