The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) has rejected the request by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar for opportunity to re-argue a motion by the All Progressives Congress (APC), seeking the dismissal of the petition.
The tribunal had on June 11, 2019 ruled that the petitioners – PDP and Atiku had no response to the motion by the APC, on the grounds that they failed to file a counter-affidavit.
It was that ruling that the petitioners prayed the court to set aside and allow them formally respond to the motion, a request the tribunal rejected in a ruling on Wednesday.
The tribunal also adopted the schedule of proceedings agreed by parties on Monday, and adjourned till Thursday for the commencement of formal trial – hearing of the petition.
The petitioners are expected to call their first set of witnesses on Thursday.
Details shortly.