…By Joseph Benjamin for TDPel Media.
The camp of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 election, has reacted to the dismissal of their request to televise the daily proceedings of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
The tribunal is handling petitions seeking to challenge the outcome of the 2023 election, particularly the declaration of Bola Tinubu as the President-elect.
Dismissal of the Request:
The tribunal, presided over by Justice Haruna Tsammani and consisting of a five-member panel, rejected Atiku and Peter Obi’s applications to televise the proceedings.
The ruling stated that the application lacked merit, as there is no existing regulatory framework or policy allowing such a request.
The court emphasized that the presence of cameras in the courtroom requires legal backing as a significant judicial policy.
Additionally, it noted that the request was not directly related to the relief sought in the petitions and failed to demonstrate how televised proceedings would benefit the case.
Reaction from Atiku’s Counsel:
Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), the counsel representing PDP and Atiku, responded to the tribunal’s ruling, stating that it did not pose a setback to their petition against Tinubu’s victory.
Jegede clarified that the court decided that the request for live streaming and open telecast was unrelated to the merits of their petition.
He confirmed that the petition would proceed as planned and that the denial of the televised version of the proceedings would not hinder their case.
Jegede expressed confidence that the upcoming pre-hearing report would determine the progress and conclusion of the petition.
Consolidation of Petitions:
Regarding the request for the consolidation of the three petitions against Tinubu, Jegede explained that it was a necessary application compelled by statute.
He clarified that they had no objection to the consolidation and recognized its importance in streamlining the legal process.
Conclusion:
Atiku’s camp remains determined despite the dismissal of their request for televised proceedings at the Election Petition Tribunal.
They affirm their readiness to proceed with the ongoing petition against Tinubu’s victory.
The focus now shifts to the pre-hearing report, which will determine the trajectory and timeline of the case.
The consolidation of the petitions is deemed necessary and acceptable by Atiku’s legal team to ensure a more efficient legal process.