Tribunal grants Buhari and the APC acess to election materials

Ebun Francis|

The presidential election petition tribunal on Thursday granted access to President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to inspect the materials used for the presidential poll.

The tribunal had earlier granted such privellege to Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party who are challenging the outcome of last month’s presidential election.

The tribunal gave the order sequel to an ex parte motion filed by Buhari and his party.

The president and the APC, through their lawyers, argued that they needed to inspect the materials in order to defend themselves in the case of a petition.

Confirming the development to newsmen on Thursday, the deputy head of the APC’s legal directorate, Mamman Yusufari, said the party had requested to inspect the election materials.

According to Yusufari, the APC had discussed making the same application before now. He did not give further details on the matter.

“I have confirmed that they have filed the application. It’s an ex-parte motion, just like the one by the PDP,” he said.

At the tribunal on Thursday, the three-man panel permitted Buhari and the APC to inspect the materials and obtain the certified through copies of the documents from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate in the just concluded election, Atiku Abubakar is challenging the outcome of the February 23 election which President Buhari won.