By Siojare Uvoh
Factions of the Labour Party Wednesday clashed at the premises of the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja at the resumption of the hearing into the petition filed by the Labour Party candidate Peter Obi against the election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Trouble started after the PEPC adjourned till Friday, May 19. Mr Lamidi Apapa who earlier claimed to be the Party’s rightful representative in the court, made a move to address members of the press, but he was shoved and pushed around by some youths who were in court. They accused Apapa trying to undermine the petition by Mr. Obi. Armed security operatives numbering about 100 saved the day, they whisked Mr. Apapa away and kept him in protective custody. They also prevent the warring factions from escalating the mayhem outside the courtroom where members loyal to Julius Abure were spoiling for a fight.
Presiding judge, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani was force to adjourn after counsel to Mr Obi, Dr Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, alleged that INEC was yet to release some documents needed for its case, especially from Rivers and Sokoto State.
INEC counsel, May Agbamuche-Mbu, however, denied the allegations, claiming instead that it was Mr Obi’s lawyers who failed to show up for a scheduled meeting where the required documents would be presented.The judge therefore granted the motion for adjournment by MrUzoukwu.
Meanwhile, the request by the counsel to Bola Tinubu, Wole Olanipekun, for a longer adjournment was rejected.
Justice Tsammani held that the tribunal was bound to conclude pre-hearing of the cases by Sunday, hence the adjournment to Friday,May 19.
