The governorship petition tribunal for Nasarawa State, on Tuesday commenced pre-hearing sitting to determine the validity of the declaration of the APC governorship candidate, Abdullahi Sule as winner of the March 18 governorship election by INEC in Nasarawa State.
The governorship tribunal which is entertaining petitions field before it by the opposition People’s Democratic party, PDP and other political parties and their candidates is headed by a three man panel of justices under the leadership of Justice Ezekiel Oyeyemi Ajayi.
The tribunal first sitting featured the entertainment of petitions without going into the substances of the cases from Nasarawa State
Justice Ezekiel – Oyeyemi Ajayi, tribunal chairman, cautioned counsels appearing for parties, candidates against bringing frivolous excuses before the tribunal.
“We are here for justice, equity and quick dispensation of justice, we will not entertain frivolous adjournment as the tribunal is determined to work within the 14 days mandate,” he warned.
After the appearances of the counsels to PDP, Joe Gazama SAN and that of INEC Ishiaka Dikko, the respondents requested for extension of time to 9th of June and was granted by the tribunal chairman, justice Oyeyemi Ajayi.
Speaking with journalists at the sideline of the tribunal, counsel to the PDP candidate and the opposition People’s Democratic party PDP, Joe Gazama said the adjournment was for the interest of the parties involved, peace and justice.
According to Joe Gazama, SAN, all cases filed in respect of the governorship petitions are at the tribunal for the pre-hearing.
On his part, counsel to INEC, Ishiaka Diko, SAN told journalists that all the counsels to the parties had agreed that instead of having staggering applications, all the petitions should be taken together where it would be treated within three days after the pre trial.