Presidential tribunal asked to stop Buhari’s inauguration

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja has been asked to stop the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria from swearing-in President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term.

The presidential candidate of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) in the February 23 election, Ambrose Owuru, made the application on Tuesday.

Owuru and HDP hinged their application sections 1 (2), 6 (6) 139, and 239 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), want the tribunal to restrain Buhari from presenting himself on May 29 or any other date for swearing in or taking of oath of allegiance and oath of office as president.

Also relying on sections 26 (4) (5) and 138 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), Owuru and HDP, wants the tribunal to stop the oath pending the determination of their petition contesting the alleged invalidity of the substituted and questioned presidential election of February 23.

Meanwhile, Buhari’s counsel Wole Olanipekun (SAN), said he is seeking an order to dismiss the entire processes filed by the appellants, which he described as laughable and incompetent.

The tribunal presided by the President of Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa was adjourned the application to May 22 for hearing.

Meanwhile, the tribunal will today begin hearing in the petition by the PDP and its candidate Atiku Abubakar challenging the presidential election.