The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has raised alarm over the inability of the presidential elections petitions tribunal to appoint a replacement since the Honourable President of the Court of Appeal and erstwhile Chairperson of the 2019 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa was disqualified eleven days ago following a petition submitted against her by the PDP, and it’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The PDP Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, in a statement released on Sunday, has described the delay to appoint Justice Bulkachiwa’s replacement as a deliberate ploy by the Buhari Presidency to truncate the course of justice.
“Since it knows the Tribunal has a timeline to prosecute the petitions. Already, seventy six (76) days has been expended out of the one hundred and eighty (180) days allowed by law.” He said.
He further added that section 134 (2) and (3) of the Electoral Act (2010 as amended) is clear on the matter. And which the Honourable President of the Court of Appeal should as a matter of national importance extricate herself from the apron-string of devious and ignoble politicians by appointing a replacement forthwith.
“Nigerians & the international community are watching. The rule of law must prevail. The sanctity of the Judiciary must be upheld. We are confident that the mandate of our presidential candiditate Atiku Abubakar as the popularly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will be restored.” The party said.
