Impending Strike Threatens to Delay Atiku, Obi’s Appeal at Supreme Court

It has been learned that the Supreme Court is preparing to institute the panel that will hear the appeal of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his counterpart in the Labour Party, Peter Obi. The duo filed 86 grounds of appeal on September 19 at the Supreme Court, seeking to nullify the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

Among their allegations are non-compliance with the Electoral Act of 2022 during the election and claims that President Bola Tinubu was not qualified to contest the election, among other irregularities.

However, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, delivered a unanimous decision, stating that Atiku, Obi, and other petitioners failed to substantiate their claims of irregularities. They found that the presented evidence could not prove the allegations of irregularities, corrupt practices, and non-compliance with electoral guidelines.

A source within the Supreme Court, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that the panel could be instituted next week. However, concerns have arisen regarding a potential labour strike that could disrupt the proceedings.

The Supreme Court Director of Information, Dr. Festus Akande, could not be reached for comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, members of Atiku Abubakar’s legal team, including Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and the National Legal Adviser of the Labour Party, Kehinde Edun, remain optimistic that the impending strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress will not affect their appeal at the Supreme Court.

Ozekhome emphasized that the case is time-sensitive and time-bound, suggesting that the Supreme Court would not comply with the strike, which may be indefinite.

Edun expressed hope that the government would resolve the strike before it disrupts the Supreme Court’s proceedings. He also mentioned that the court is currently understaffed, with only 11 justices out of a maximum of 21 according to the Constitution.

Yunusa Tanko, the chief spokesman for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, expressed more concern about the hardships faced by Nigerians than the potential disruption of the legal proceedings due to the strike.

As the Supreme Court prepares to address this crucial appeal, the specter of a labor strike looms, adding further uncertainty to an already contentious legal battle.