Tribunal: Feb 23 presidential election shift unconstitutional – HDP 

The Hope Democratic Party (HDP) has told the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja that the February 23 presidential election which produced President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office is unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional.

In a fresh motion filed as part of its petition at the tribunal, HDP insisted that the fresh date from February 16 to February 23 which the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted the poll was unknown to law and should be invalidated by the tribunal.

The party, whose presidential candidate, Ambrose Owuru, polled 1,663 votes further contended that INEC had no cogent and verifiable reason required by law for the postponement.

In the fresh motion filed by the party’s counsel, Ezechukwu Kennedy Ifeanyi Esq, HDP argued that although the electoral umpire has powers under Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2010 to shift the poll, it failed to advance any cogent reason for the action thereby rendering it a nullity.

The party therefore asked the tribunal to compel INEC to produce notice of election, original time-table for February 16, the press statement of February 16 as well as minutes of the meeting where the decision to postpone the February 16 presidential was held.

The tribunal is expected to resume hearing on the petitions on Thursday.