The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal may not issue the eagerly awaited decision on Wednesday, according to Bulama Bukarti, a senior analyst at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.
Abujapress reports that the Court of Appeal, in a statement on Monday, had said it would on Wednesday deliver judgement on the petitions challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential election.
But in a post on his X handle titled: ‘PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PETITION JUDGEMENT MAY NOT BE DELIVERED TOMORROW’, Mr Bukarti noted that the ongoing strike by the National Labour Congress, NLC, may ground activities at the court premises.
Mr Bukarti pegged his position on the orders by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, to all its members to close all courts in the country during the two-day warning strike.
He 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,” the legal practisioner added.
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