The party’s national chairman, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, said it decided to challenge Yar’adua’s return by INEC because of alleged electoral fraud, in spite of its acceptance to participate in the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Yar’adua has allocated two ministerial slots to the ANPP and appointed Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki-Nakande and Hajiya Saudatu Bungudu from Plateau and Zamfara states as minister of state for information and women affairs, respectively.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal, presided by Justice James Ogebe, had fixed July 30 for the hearing of the substantive petition instituted by the ANPP.
Ogebe had earlier agreed on the notice of service made on the defendants by all parties in the case.
Similarly, the tribunal will on Monday consider the issue of contesting notice of service by the ANPP presidential candidate, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari on the defendants.
Buhari’s lead counsel, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN), is claiming that INEC had yet to avail the electoral materials they prayed the court to compel the electoral body to release.
Besides, the tribunal would also receive report of the notice served on Yar’adua, PDP and INEC by the AC and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, equally contesting the April polls.
NAN further reports that no date has been fixed for the pre-trial conference on the petition instituted by the African Liberation Party (ALP) and its presidential candidate, Chief Emmanuel Okereke before the tribunal.
Meanwhile, the petition filed by the National Action Council (NAC) and the party’s presidential flag-bearer, Dr Olapade Agoro, was struck out on July 20, for lack of merit.
In passing the judgment, the tribunal declared that the claims of the party and its candidate that the NAC logo and Agoro’s name were not reflected on the ballot paper was not “substantial enough’’ to void the election.
Analysts say the months ahead would be exciting as the tribunal enters the crucial stage of its activity and as Nigerians anxiously await the final outcome of its ruling.
According to a legal practitioner, who pleaded anonymity, the decision of the tribunal will go a long way in determining the tempo and growth of democracy in the country.
Other members of the tribunal are Justices John Fabiyi, Abdullahi Jega, A. Abaji and R. C. Agbo.