Presidential Tribunal: INEC Fails To Open Defence Against Obi’s Petition

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Monday, failed to open its defence to allegation by candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, that the 2023 presidential election was rigged.

INEC, which is the first respondent in the petition by the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was scheduled to open its defence today.

The petitioners are challenging the emergence of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25 election.

However, when the case was called up for hearing, INEC, through its team of lawyers led by Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, told the court that its witness was not available.

Though the Commission expressed its determination to produce three witnesses to defend the outcome of the disputed presidential poll, it, however, told the court that the first person it wanted to put in the box as a witness, was involved in a domestic issue.

He subsequently applied for an adjournment till Tuesday to enable the witness to attend court.

Counsel to other parties did not object to the request by INEC’s counsel.

The Chairmen of the panel, Justice Haruna Tsammani, subsequently adjourned till 9 am on Tuesday for the hearing.

INEC is also expected to open its defence at 2 pm in the petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.