2019 Election: INEC, Buhari Lose Bid For Dismissal Of PDM’s Petition

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday lost its bid for the dismissal of a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Movement and its 2019 presidential candidate, Pastor Haminchi Habu.

The electoral commission and President Buhari had asked the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to dismiss the petition challenging Buhari’s victory as filed by the duo.

INEC and Buhari claimed the petitioners failed to comply with the provisions of paragraph 18(1) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act.

They said the petitioners had violated the provisions of the Electoral Act by failing to apply for the pre-hearing notice within seven days after the close of pleadings marked by the filing of their final replies to the respondents’ replies to the petition.

But dismissing the application, the Justice Mohammed Garba-led tribunal unanimously, held that the petitioners did file their application for the issuance of pre-hearing notice within the time stipulated by law.

He, therefore, dismissed the applications by INEC and Buhari for lacking in merit.