INEC opposes Peter Obi’s request for televised proceedings at tribunal

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has opposed an application filed by the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, seeking to have the proceeding at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) televised.

Levy Ozoukwu, counsel to Obi and LP, said INEC opposed their application for a live broadcast.

Speaking with journalists after the tribunal pre-hearing session on Wednesday, Ozoukwu said, “Surprisingly, INEC is objecting. A public institution that is being funded by the government and representing the people is saying they don’t want the people to enjoy live streaming. What are they hiding?

“INEC sees itself as a candidate in an election that it conducted. I say with every degree of emphasis going by the conduct of INEC.

“In court, no other party is complaining about not getting documents. Why is it so?”

“Only the petitioners who have not been provided with the required documents and I keep on asking, what is INEC hiding?”

Obi and the LP filed a petition challenging the declaration of Bola Tinubu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as winner of the election.

In the petition marked CA/PEPC/03/2023, LP and Obi, said Tinubu “was not duly elected by the majority of the lawful votes cast at the time of the election”.

The tribunal has adjourned the matter to May 19 for continuation.