June 13 and 14 has been fixed by the Kwara Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Ilorin for hearing on the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP against the Governor-elect, Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq.
The three-man tribunal, chaired by Justice Bassey Effiong, announced the date after listening to counsel to the parties at the continuation of the pre-hearing session on Thursday. The chairman added that the trial will hold at 10am on every hearing date.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PDP governorship candidate, Razak Atunwa had filed the petition challenging the declaration of Abdulrazaq as governor.
The PDP claimed the governor-elect does not have a secondary school leaving certificate, a legal prerequisite for anyone running for the office of governor.
Abdulrazaq, however, had dismissed the claim as false.
Effiong said the petitioners would have four days – June 13, 14 and July 9 and 10- to call their witnesses who would then be cross-examined by the respondents.
The first respondent, INEC, will have two days (July 11 and 12) to present its defence.
The chairman added that Abdulrazaq, who is the second respondent, would present his defence on July 16, 17 and 18 while the third respondent, APC, would present its defence between July 23, 24 and 25.
Effiong also said the report of the pre-hearing conference would be available after May 27.
The matter was later adjourned till May 27 for the adoption of various motions already filed by all the parties.
(NAN)