Tribunal to Lalong: You can’t stand in for Tinubu

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Monday, May 8, barred Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, from standing before it as the representative of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

The Star had reported that Lalong, the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, was present in court to observe the pre-hearing of the petitions challenging the outcome of the February 25, 2023, presidential election.

The governor, after the first petition that was lodged against the outcome of the presidential election was called up, stood up and announced himself as Tinubu’s representative.

READ ALSO: Obi, Lalong present as election tribunal begins pre-hearing in Abuja

“My Lord’s my name is Simon Lalong and I am here to represent Tinubu,” he stated.

However, Justice Haruna Tsammani, who led a five-member panel, declined to recognise Governor Lalong as Tinubu’s representative.

“You cannot represent an individual. Tinubu is not a corporation that would need a representative,” Justice Tsammani declared.

Responding, the governor said: “My Lords, in that case, I will represent the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Meanwhile, the tribunal has adjourned pre-hearing in the petitions filed by the Action Peoples Party, (APP) and Labour Party until Wednesday, May 10.

The court would also hear the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday.

The Star