Tribunal stops Lalong from representing Tinubu, hears Atiku’s petition Tue, adjourns Obi’s Wed

Tribunal stops Lalong from representing Tinubu, hears Atiku’s petition Tue, adjourns Obi’s Wed

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Monday barred Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State from standing in for the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

It gave the position at the pre-hearing of the petition filed to nullify Tinubu’s election victory by the Labour Party and its candidate, Peter Obi.

The matter was later adjourned till Wednesday.

The tribunal also gave Tuesday to hear the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, against Tinubu, the declared winner of the presidential poll.

The Plateau State governor had announced himself as Tinubu’s representative immediately the first case was called up, saying, “My Lords, my name is Simon Lalong and I am here to represent Tinubu.”
But Justice Haruna Tsammani leading a five-member panel declared, “You cannot represent an individual. Tinubu is not a corporation that would need a representative.
“My Lords, in that case, I will represent the All Progressives Congress, APC,” Governor Lalong responded.

In adjourning the cases, the tribunal urged the parties to identify all the witness statements and documents they would rely on or object to during the hearing of the petitions.

Peter Obi was one of those in court to witness the Monday’s proceedings.

Tribunal stops Lalong from representing Tinubu, hears Atiku’s petition Tue, adjourns Obi’s Wed