The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) on Thursday prayed the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kano State to set aside the contempt proceedings filed by the PDP against the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC , Riskuwa Shehu.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PDP, prayed the tribunal to prosecute Shehu, for allegedly disobeying an order to grant the petitioners access to inspect and photocopy election materials used during the March 23 Governorship election.
NAN report that the tribunal on May 7, granted the petitioners access to inspect and photocopy election materials used during the March 23 election.
The Counsel to INEC, Mr Adedayo Adedeji, prayed the tribunal to dismiss the application filed by the petitioners as it lacked merit and was incompetent.
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Adedeji filed a motion to set aside the contempt proceedings that was initiated by the petitioners and also filed a preliminary objection urging the court to strick out the Petitions.
Counsel to Abdullahi Ganduje, Aliyu Umar, SAN, also prayed the tribunal to strike out the petition for lack of merit.
Earlier, the Counsel to the petitioners, Adebayo Owomolo, had made an application for withdrawal of two applications out of the five motions filed before the tribunal.
He said that the withdrawal was based on some parts of the paragraphs the All Progressive Congress challenged the petitioners.
In her ruling, Justice Halima Mohammed, announced the adoption of all petitions and counter affidavits filed by the petitioners.
She adjourned the case until July 13, for ruling on the pending application and continuation of hearing.
NAN reports that the gubernatorial candidate, Abba Kabir-Yusuf, of the PDP, is challenging the declaration of Dr Ganduje, of All Progressive Congress(APC) as the winner of the March 23, election. (NAN)
