Atiku, Obi vs Tinubu: President-elect Fumes Over Tribunal's Merger Move

• The President-elect, Bola Tinubu on Monday, May 22, opposed the move to consolidate the three different petitions that are seeking to nullify the outcome of the 2023 presidential election
• Tinubu's lawyer, Akin Olujimi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), opposed the move at the presidential election petition court
• According to Tinubu's camp, it will be very difficult for the president-elect to consent to consolidation of the petitions

FCT, Abuja - The president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, May 22, opposed the move to combine three pending petitions challenging his victory at the Presidential Election Petition Court.

Citing paragraph 50 of the 1st Schedule of the Electoral Act, the tribunal led by Haruna Tsammani, had announced on Saturday, May 20, that all the petitions against Tinubu’s election will be merged for easy adjudication.

At the resumed proceedings, Tinubu, through his lawyers, led by Akin Olujimi (SAN), argued that merging the petitions would negatively affect his ability to effectively defend all the issues raised against him by each petitioner, The Cable reported.

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Why merging Atiku, Obi’s petitions is not advisable, Tinubu’s lawyer, Olujimi

Furthermore, Olujinmi argued that the provision of the Electoral Act referred to by the court was not absolute, and the exercise of power should be subject to limitations, Premium Times also reported.

He pointed out that there were varying issues and evidential matters in each petition, making it difficult to consent to consolidation.

Olujinmi said:

“We want to make it clear at this stage that it will be absolutely difficult for us to consent to consolidation of the petitions (of Atiku, Obi and others)

“I most humbly urge your lordships not to grant the consolidation.”

Presidential tribunal gives verdict on Atiku, Obi's request for live broadcast of proceedings

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that on the issue of live coverage of proceedings in court, the presidential election petition tribunal ruled out the application.

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Tribunal: Atiku makes fresh claims against INEC over Tinubu's drug, dual citizenship offences

The decision was issued on Monday, May 22, at the court of appeal in Abuja when Justice Tsammani ruled out the application of Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

Tribunal places embargo on use of phones, gadgets in Courtroom

Legit.ng also reported that the Presidential election petition tribunal banned phones and other electronic gadgets in the courtroom while proceedings are ongoing.

This development was confirmed at the court premises in the morning on Saturday, May 20.

Source: Legit.ng