JUST IN: Heavy security presence at Bauchi governorship tribunal premises

There has been a heavy security presence at the Bauchi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal premises for the adoption of the final written address by parties in the petition.

Police and other security operatives had cordoned off the linking roads to the premises of the tribunal as they mounted road blocks along the Ahmadu Bello Way in Bauchi to prevent miscreants and other hoodlums from getting entry into the court.

The case being decided was filed by the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its Governorship Candidate, who is the immediate past Governor of Bauchi State, Muhammed Abdullahi Abubakar, asking the tribunal to declared him winner of the March 9, 2019 election, which was concluded on 23 March 2019 after a supplementary election, having scored the highest lawful votes.

The petitioner also prayed the court to, in the alternative, nullified the election in 336 pulling units in three local government of Bauchi , Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro LGAs against the incumbent governor Senator Bala Muhammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Supporters of both the ruling party in the state, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Congress (APC) have also stormed the surrounding areas waiting for the outcome of the court proceeding.

Bauchi state Commissioner of Police, Habu Ahmadu Sani, had earlier warned supporters who do not have anything official doing not to go close to the tribunal premises because of the alleged plans to disrupt the tribunal proceedings.

The police boss noted that the command will not hesitate to deal with anyone caught trying to cause trouble at the court.