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Presidential Election tribunal: Garba Replaces Bulkachuwa, Resumes Hearing Today on 16 Petitions
Justice Mohammed Garba, who replaced the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, on the five-man panel of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, took charge of the pre-hearing proceedings of the tribunal for the first time on Monday.
He called for the “fullest cooperation” of petitioners and their lawyers for the expeditious hearing of the pending petitions.
All the four petitions filed before the tribunal to challenge the February 23, 2019 presidential election came up on Monday, but one of them which was filed by the Coalition for Change and its candidate, Geff Ojinika, was withdrawn in the course of the proceedings, leaving three behind to be heard and determined by the five-man panel.
Justice Bulkachuwa had withdrawn from the panel on May 22, 2019 following an allegation of likelihood of bias levelled against her by the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate in the February 23, 2019 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar.
The petitioners’ allegation was based on the fact that Bulkachuwa’s husband, Adamu Bulkachuwa, is a senator-elect on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, the party whose victory at the February 23 presidential election they are challenging at the tribunal, and her son, Aliyu Abubakar, was a governorship aspirant on the platform of the same party in Gombe State.
Garba emerged on Monday as the replacement for Bulkachuwa, who withdrew her membership of the panel about 19 days ago.
Monday’s proceedings only came about 10 days after the legal team of the petitioners wrote Bulkachuwa a letter reminding her of her promise to name her replacement promptly.
Garba, who is the presiding justice of the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, now leads Justices Abdul Aboki (Abuja Division), Joseph Ikyegh (Benin Division), Samuel Oseji (Lagos Division) and Peter Ige (Abuja Division) on the panel of the tribunal.
He said, “I will like to renew the call for the fullest cooperation of parties and their respective counsel that will be appearing in the petitions before the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.
“We are aware of the constraint of time that has been imposed on the court by both the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act for the hearing and determination of the petitions.
“We are also aware that we have almost gone halfway of the time we have for the hearing and determination of the petitions.”
Justice Garba said the cooperation of the lawyers and their clients were needed for the panel to make the best use of the time left.
Responding, the legal team of the PDP and Atiku led by Dr Livy Uzoukwu (SAN) assured the panel that his team would “give necessary cooperation to ensure that the petition is expeditiously heard.”
Lawyers representing the respondents – the Independent National Electoral Commission, Buhari and the APC – also gave similar assurance.
INEC’s legal team was led by Mr Yunus Usman (SAN), Buhari’s by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), while Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) represented the APC.
On Monday, the Coalition for Change and its presidential candidate, Geff Ojinika, withdrew their joint petition challenging the outcome of the February 23, 2019 presidential election.
Announcing the decision, Mr Obed Agu, told the panel he was instructed by his clients to withdraw the petition.
The respondents’ lawyers did not oppose the request for the withdrawal of the petition.
The petition was subsequently dismissed by the tribunal, leaving the five-man panel with only three pending petitions filed to challenge the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC at the poll.
The remaining petitions comprised the one jointly filed by the PDP and Atiku, the Hope Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Ambrose Owuru; and the Peoples Democratic Movement with its candidate, Pastor Aminchi Habu.
The tribunal also on Monday adjourned till Tuesday (today) the hearing of a total of 16 applications filed in respect of the petition of the PDP and Atiku alone.
The Justice Garba-led panel adjourned the applications for hearing after the various parties to the petition identified what they had filed before the tribunal.
Of the 16 applications, six of them were filed by the PDP and its candidate, while the rest of the 10 were filed by the respondents.
Of the respondents’ 10 applications, seven were filed by them seeking the dismissal or striking out of the petition while the three others were either seeking the amendment of their papers and the leave to bring their applications up at the tribunal’s pre-hearing session.
The tribunal also adjourned pending applications filed in respect of the petitions by the HDP and the PDM till June 13 and June 17, respectively.
The Punch
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said that the senate is an institution that needs to be protected, not an individual.
This was revealed on his X handle on Saturday in the aftermath of the ongoing backlash of the allegation of sexual harassment made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Arise TV in an interview against Senate President, Godswill Apkabio.
Akpabio’s wife filed a lawsuit against Senator Natasha at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja over alleged defamation and violation of her husband’s fundamental human rights.
Saraki expressed sadness over the development as he stated that the incident is already hurting the integrity, sanctity, image and public perception of the Senate as an institution.
“I believe that every person who has had anything to do with the National Assembly, particularly as a leader, member and worker should always jealously protect these values which make the institution, the numero uno among the three arms of government,” he said.
Saraki urged the two parties to sheath their swords and warned that supporters of both parties should be mindful of the impacts of their actions.
He advised that the instruments of law and parliamentary conventions should be adhered to in resolving the issue on the ground. He also called for an investigation of the matter by the Senate Committee on Ethics.
“At this point, with the public claims made by the Senator, the right measure to take is to institute an open, transparent and honest investigation by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions,” he said.
“Both parties must submit to the investigation, fully cooperate with the committee, and stake their claims before it. This is not the first time a Senate President would appear before the Committee to aid it in the conduct of a transparent and open investigation.
“For me, the institution of the Senate is so important, sacred, and pre-eminent. All lovers of democracy should always work to strengthen it. No leader or member should be allowed to openly or surreptitiously work to subvert its sanctity.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the explosive allegations of sexual harassment, intimidation, and mistreatment levelled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement shared on his official Twitter handle on Friday, Atiku stressed that the gravity of these claims demands immediate and transparent action.
“Like millions of Nigerians, I watched with deep concern this morning as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan raised serious allegations of sexual harassment, intimidation, and mistreatment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio,” Atiku said.
He talked about the need for a credible investigation to protect the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and uphold the values of justice and accountability.
“These allegations are grave and deserve a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation,” he stated.
Atiku reminded Nigerians that the Senate, as the legislative arm of government, represents the people’s voice.
“For that reason, its leaders must embody integrity and respect for the offices they hold.
“As the third most powerful figure in the country, the Senate President should embody unimpeachable character,” he added.
Beyond the political implications, Atiku highlighted the far-reaching impact of sexual harassment on women’s participation in governance and national development.
“Sexual harassment in the workplace is a significant barrier to women’s advancement and, by extension, the nation’s progress. Allegations of such misconduct should never be simply dismissed, particularly when they involve a public officer with immense power, influence, and responsibility,” he said.
Atiku warned that how this case is handled will send a strong message about Nigeria’s commitment to justice, fairness, and gender equality.
The former VP also pointed out the urgent need to create a safe and supportive environment for female legislators, especially given their underrepresentation in the Senate.
“With only four women currently serving in the Senate, it is imperative that we foster an environment where female legislators can serve without fear of harassment or intimidation,” he said.
The allegations by Akpoti-Uduaghan have sparked widespread reactions across the country, with civil society organizations and gender rights advocates demanding swift and decisive action.
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
By Eric Elezuo
One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.
Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.
He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents, and Abiola was never sworn in.
“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.
The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.
Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.
