The Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have thrown their full weight behind the request by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for a live broadcast of the proceedings of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
Counsel to the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Livy Uzuokwu (SAN), made this known on Wednesday while speaking with newsmen after the court adjourned pre-hearing sessions in their petition challenging the election of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu.
Uzoukwu said it has become imperative to have the proceedings covered live so that Nigerians will have first-hand information on what goes on at the court and clear doubts in the minds of millions of Nigerians.
He claimed that live broadcast of court proceedings was initiated by colonial masters but jettisoned when Nigeria gained independence.
The realities on ground necessitate a live broadcast of court proceedings, he argued, while also declaring that Obi and the Labour Party support the request by Atiku and his party.
For instance, he said the courtroom cannot conveniently accommodate 200 people, and the 200 people cannot adequately represent Nigerians, adding that if the proceedings are broadcast live, Nigerians will be better informed.
“During the hearing of the motion on notice by Atiku and PDP, Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Mr. Obi, will be fully in support,” the senior lawyer said.
Meanwhile, the tribunal has shifted further pre-hearing sessions in the petition of LP and Obi to May 17.
The pre-hearing session was shifted at the request of LP and its presidential candidate to enable them to consolidate processes so far filed and those yet to be filed.