Obi Is Not A Member Of Labour Party – Tinubu Says, Tenders Evidence At Election Tribunal

In a significant development at the Presidential Election Petitions Court, evidence regarding the membership list of the Labour Party for Anambra state has been admitted.

The list, submitted along with a letter of membership registration to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and dated February 25, 2022, clearly indicates that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, was not a member of the party when the register was submitted.

This revelation emerged during the opposition’s response to Peter Obi’s petition. Prominent figures, Tinubu and Shettima, are contesting Obi’s legal standing to file the petition, arguing that he was not a legitimate candidate as he was not included in the list of party members in his state.

The court acknowledged the submission of 18 documents tendered by Tinubu and Shettima in defense of the petition by the Labour Party and Peter Obi. Among these documents, the membership list and membership registration letter played a crucial role in supporting the opposition’s argument.

Furthermore, Tinubu presented his sole witness, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who testified regarding an alleged criminal forfeiture case against Tinubu in a US court.

Bamidele, who claimed to be licensed to practice law in New York and a member of the American Bar Association, clarified that the forfeiture in question was civil rather than criminal.

During cross-examination by Livy Uzoukwu, the lead counsel for the Labour Party, it was observed that Bamidele did not provide any identification to verify his New York state license. Nevertheless, Bamidele maintained that his membership in the New York bar granted him the authority to practice federal law across the United States.

With the conclusion of Wednesday’s hearing, the evidentiary stage of the Labour Party and Peter Obi’s petition has come to an end. The All Progressives Congress (APC), which was slated to present its defense, has announced its intention to rely on the testimony of Tinubu and Shettima.

The next phase of the proceedings will involve the adoption of addresses. The court has directed the respondents to submit their addresses within 10 days, while the petitioners have been given 7 days to respond. If the respondents wish to file a reply on points of law, they will be granted 5 additional days. Subsequently, the court will schedule a date for the adoption of the addresses.