ATIKU/BUHARI: We’ll reject any Supreme Court panel not based on our recommendation —CUPP

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has insisted that the Supreme Court should constitute the panel that would hear the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s appeal case against President Muhammadu Buhari based on order of seniority.

CUPP spokesperson, Imo Ugochinyere, who stated this when he addressed newsmen in Owerri on Sunday, vowed that the group would declare a total lack of confidence in any panel set-up in violation of the Supreme Court age-long order of seniority.

He also claimed that the delay in setting up the panel was capable of compromising Atiku’s chances in the appeal.

According to Ugochinyere, it was disturbing that the Supreme Court had yet to constitute the appeal panel over 45 days since the tribunal affirmed Buhari as the winner of the 2019 presidential election.

“The CUPP is again raising concerns over the delay by the Supreme Court to constitute the presidential election appeal panel that will hear the appeal filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the February 23 presidential election.

“The supreme Court has, since 16 days ago, fully received all the filings on our appeal and by the provisions of the Constitution, the Supreme Court has, on or before November 11, 2019 , which is 15 days from today, to deliver judgment on the appeal of Atiku challenging Buhari’s victory.

“We also wish to inform the Nigerian people that, in furtherance to our belief in the rule of law and the Supreme Court, we have written the Supreme Court through our lawyers to remind them of the need to give us a date for hearing of this all-important appeal of national importance that has the capacity to give our nation a competent leadership that they will be proud of.

“We approached the apex court for redress, with strong conviction that the court will right the wrongs, an expression of our deep commitment to the rule of law.

“But 45 days after the tribunal delivered its verdict, the Supreme Court is yet to constitute the appeal panel.

READ ALSO: Supreme Court begins hearing in Atiku’s appeal against Buhari October 30

“This development is very worrisome to the opposition political parties as critical stakeholders in the nation’s democracy.

“We insist that we shall declare a total lack of confidence in any panel constituted in violation of the age-long order of seniority.

“The apex court must be ready to be on the side of the people in saving the nation and its democracy,” Ugochinyere said.

Meanwhile, the PDP this Sunday announced that the Supreme Court had fixed October 30, to begin hearing in the case.

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