Posted by Mr Kenneth Okonkwo of the Labour Party, LP, has criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for failing to present its case in the presidential election petition tribunal on Monday.
Okonkwo alleged in a Twitter post that the electoral commission may have experienced a “technical glitch” that resulted in the disappearance of its witnesses.
According to janescope, INEC began its defense of the February 25 presidential election on a shaky note, with its witnesses AWOL from the Court on Monday.
Abubakar Balarabe Mahmood, SAN, the commission’s lead lawyer, had told the court of his intention to summon three witnesses to rebut LP’s accusations and its Presidential candidate, Peter Gregory Obi.
However, he bemoaned the fact that none of the witnesses were present in court due to family obligations, asking with the judge to be patient while he sought an adjournment of his defense.
The hearing was later rescheduled to July 4 for continuation.
Okonkwo, on the other hand, said INEC’s inability to open its defense was a waste of fuel, which he blamed the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, administration of inflating beyond the reach of common Nigerians.
He stated,
“Today (sic) was scheduled for INEC to file their petition with the Presidential Election Petition Court.” Not surprisingly, they failed to present any witnesses, saying that their witness let them down. Is it necessary for INEC to continue to have a “technical glitch” in their own case?
“What a waste of fuel that this APC government has put out of reach of ordinary Nigerians like us.” The hearing on the petition has been postponed until tomorrow, July 4, 2023.”