The Abia Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Friday fixed August 10 for the commencement of the trial of the petition filed by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the April election, Dr. Alex Otti, against the election of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu.
The Tribunal Chairman, Hon. Justice Usman Bwala, said this at the end of pretrial of the petition challenging the declaration of Ikpeazu as the governor of Abia.
Bwala also said that ruling in the motion filed by the first respondent, Ikpeazu, urging the tribunal to strike out the petition for incompetence, would be taken along with the judgment.
Counsel for Ikpeazu, Mr Adeniyi Akinlola (SAN), had argued in his motion that the petitioner’s application for pretrial was filed out of time, describing the application as, “invalid and premature’’ and should be struck out.
Counsels to Peoples Democratic Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr Paul Ananaba (SAN) and Mr. Hargler Okorie, respectively reinforced Akinlola’s argument and urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition on grounds of incompetence.
They further urged the tribunal to rule on the motion before adjourning Friday’s sitting, saying that the ruling should not be deferred till the end of hearing as earlier ruled in other motions.
Responding, Counsel to Otti, Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), told the tribunal that the application for pretrial was duly filed on June 19, contrary to the Akinlola’s claim.
