Atiku vs Buhari: APC, INEC Reject PDP’s Move To Present Star Witness

Respondents ‘Cry Out’ In Court

The move on Monday by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to present its star witness at the 2019 presidential election tribunal has been objected by the respondents.

PDP’s planned move was objected by counsels of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Naija News understands the star witness is Segun Showunmi, spokesman of the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign.

However, at the tribunal on Monday, when Chris Uche, counsel to the petitioners, applied that they present their star witness, Faseyi Akintola, counsel to APC, Alex Izinyon, Buhari’s lawyer, and Uztaz Usman, INEC’s counsel all objected to the move.

They claimed it wasn’t part of their agreements and constitutes an ambush.

Uche said in the course of his testimony, video clips would also be played.

Alex Izinyon, Buhari’s lawyer, said they had been “ambushed” with the development.

“Your lordship they are not part of the documents listed,” he said.

Uztaz Usman, INEC counsel, said “what the media will be reporting will be another thing. We were taken by surprise. This does not comply with first schedule of evidence act.”

But Uche retorted saying: “Let’s make progress, you can bring your own video.”

However, the tribunal said the agreement the INEC counsel spoke about was not binding on the court but added that Akintola would be able to object to the video even after it is played.

As at the time of filing this report, the tribunal is yet to rule on their objections as the court is currently on a break and it is expected that a ruling will be delivered when it resumes.