Tinubu Insists 25% Score in FCT Unnecessary, Closes Case Against Atiku
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday evening closed his defence against the petition of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Atiku is challenging his Tinubu’s victory at the February 25 presidential election.
Tinubu closed his case after the end of cross examination of his lone witness in the petition.
His lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, shortly after he applied for the discharge of the witness announced that his client would be closing his defence with the testimony of his “lone witness”.
The witness, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, amongst others maintained that Tinubu was not mandated by the Constitution to score 25% of votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) before being declared.
He disagreed with Atiku’s lawyer on the special status conferred on the FCT.
Meanwhile, the five-member panel has adjourned till a date that would be communicated to parties.
According to the electoral law, following the closure of the case of the respondents, they are to file their written addresses within 10 days, while the petitioners have seven days to respond. Both petitioners and respondents then have another five days to exchange further briefs.
Details later.
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