Mr Bulama Bukarti, a legal practitioner and senior analyst at Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, has said the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal may not deliver judgement tomorrow on the petitions filed by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party–LP, Mr Peter Obi and his PDP counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar challenging the victory of President Tinubu in the last election.
NewsBand reports that on Monday, the Court of Appeal in a statement announced it will deliver judgement on the petitions filed by Obi and Atiku.
But Bulama in a statement posted on his social media handles, noted that the ongoing nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress—NLC might possibly disrupt tomorrow’s judgement following the directive by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria—JUSUN to its members to close all courts in the country.
already, the strike action has grounded economic activities in Abuja, Kano and other states.
Bulama in the statement said, “Is it possible for the NLC’s strike tomorrow to prevent the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal from delivering its judgment? I believe it’s a possibility.
“While the judges themselves may not participate in the strike, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), which is affiliated with the NLC, has issued orders to close all courts in the country today and tomorrow.
“If this occurs, it would result in the closure of the tribunal premises and judges’ offices, making it impossible to deliver the judgment. If such a scenario unfolds, it could have a significant impact, garnering headlines.
“However, the Tribunal could delay judgment until after the strike, potentially towards the late evening or the early night hours.
“But this may not work, as JUSUN may refuse to open the court after working hours or NLC officials may put it under lock and key until Thursday morning. I am keen to see what will happen tomorrow”.