Tribunal Rules On Atiku’s Petition Challenging Buhari’s Victory

The presidential election petition tribunal will today deliver judgement in the petition brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

All the parties in the suit had made their final submissions on August 21, when the tribunal declared that the date for the judgement will be communicated at a later date.

The PDP and its candidate are seeking to nullify the election of President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 23 poll.

8:00am There is a very heavy presence of security officials at the court premises while the tribunal is set to commence with many lawyers present.

8:23 am The Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari who was also a witness for the president at the tribunal arrives the courtroom.

8:45am     The Minister of State for Niger Delta, Festus Keyamo arrives courtroom. Keyamo, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria exchanges pleasantries with lawyers upon his arrival at the court premises.

8:46am   Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong arrives the courtroom.

9:09am   Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus arrives the courtroom. He also went around and exchanged pleasantries with lawyers defending the PDP in the petition.

09:10 am He also embraced the Chairman of the opposing All Progressives Congress (APC), Adam Oshiomole.

Also in court is the governor of Kebbi State Senator Bagudu, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige and the Minister of Works and Housing, Raji Fashola.

9:29 am The panel of the tribunal arrived for the final time in this petition.

The five-man panel include the Chairman, Justice Mohammed Garba. Others include Justice Peter Olabisi-Ige, Justice Abdul Aboki, Justice Joseph Ikyegh and Justice Samuel Oseji.

The panel is led by Justice Mohammed Garba.

9:36am The parties take appearances after which the chairman of the tribunal will deliver the ruling.