Abuja, Nigeria – In a recent development at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), the All Progressives Congress (APC), President-elect Sen. Bola Tinubu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have jointly opposed an application filed by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), requesting live television coverage of the proceedings in his petition.
Alhaji Abubakar filed the petition challenging the victory of Sen. Tinubu, who was declared the winner of the presidential election held on February 25 by INEC.
Responding to the application, the Vice-President-elect, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, also expressed opposition to the request for live television coverage, arguing that it could undermine the solemnity of the court proceedings.
During the proceedings, the respondents put forth their arguments individually. Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), the counsel for INEC, stated that the court proceedings were already open to the public. He emphasized that the application implied that the proceedings were not public unless televised, which he deemed untrue.
Mahmoud further pointed out that live streaming and televising were distinct, and the court controlled live streaming while prohibiting live cameras in the courtroom. He added that live telecasts could trivialize the court proceedings and place unnecessary pressure on the lawyers.
Similarly, counsel for Sen. Tinubu and Alhaji Shettima, Mr. Wole Olanipekun (SAN), regarded the application as peculiar and dangerous. Olanipekun argued against transforming the court into a film house, stadium, crusade ground, or theater where live telecasts were allowed.
He questioned the feasibility of enforcing or supervising such an order, even in an Area Court. Olanipekun criticized Abubakar for focusing on the application instead of seeking an expeditious hearing of the petition. He urged the court to dismiss the application and impose a heavy cost on the petitioner.
Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), representing the APC, also opposed the application, stating that the necessary facility and policy documents were lacking. Fagbemi emphasized that there was no allegation of inadequate coverage of the proceedings and warned against setting a precedent that would affect other election petition tribunals.
Contrary to the respondents’ arguments, Mr. Chris Uche (SAN), counsel for Alhaji Abubakar, asserted that there were no legislative or statutory provisions against the application. Uche cited the example of the Oputa Panel, which had live coverage, benefiting the nation. He argued that live coverage would not prejudice anyone but would greatly benefit the nation. Uche clarified that the petitioner only sought to televise the lawyers and proceedings, not the judges.
Following the arguments presented by all parties, Justice Haruna Tsammani, the Chairman of the Court, reserved the ruling on whether to grant the request for live television coverage.
It is important to note that Alhaji Abubakar filed the application at the PEPC due to the significant national importance of the petition. In the application, he and the PDP specifically requested an order to allow media practitioners and their equipment into the courtroom and to establish modalities for their admission. They emphasized that the unique electoral dispute had constitutional implications and was a matter of public interest, as millions of Nigerian voters held constitutional rights.
The ruling on the application is eagerly awaited as the proceedings continue at the PEPC, addressing the electoral dispute brought forward by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
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