Peter Obi and some lawyers at the Presidential Election Petition Court. Photo: Ifeoma Nwovu/Radio Nigeria
The Presidential Election Petition Court has ordered the Labour Party and its Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to present their joint petition against the February 25 presidential election within three weeks.
The Court also ordered the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to defend his victory at the election, along with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within five days.
Mr Obi, through his counsel, Professor Awa, had requested for seven weeks to establish their allegations against the election that produced Senator Tinubu.
The Chairman of the Court, Justice Haruna Tsammani issued the order while presenting the pre- hearing sessions report of the Court.
Justice Tsammani also ordered that Mr Obi must open his petition for hearing on May 30 and end same on June 23.
The Court said it arrived at the decision because of the limited time within which the petition must be disposed off.
The Court, according to Justice Tsamanni, ordered the consolidation of the petitions so as to ensure their expeditious hearing.
Meanwhile, the Court dismissed the objection of Senator Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the consolidation.
Writing by Ifeoma Nwovu; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade and Tony Okerafor