‘Court not theatre’ | ‘We’ll be under pressure’ — Tinubu, INEC oppose live broadcast of tribunal

The request for a live broadcast of the proceedings of the presidential election petition tribunal faced stiff opposition in court on Thursday.

Lateef Fagbemi, counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC), asked the tribunal to dismiss the application by Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the request on May 7.

The former vice-president had said televising the proceedings will enhance public confidence.

Arguing the motion, Chris Uche, counsel for Atiku and the PDP, said: “There is no single legislative or statutory position against it.”

He said a live broadcast doesn’t necessarily mean the faces of the justices would be shown. 

Opposing the application, Fagbemi said bringing cameras into the court for live streaming is no different from the Big Brother Naija reality show. 

In his submission, Abubakar Mahmoud, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said a live broadcast “will only defeat the solemn atmosphere of the court”.

“We don’t want to be put under additional pressure by having cameras in our faces,” Mahmoud added.

President-elect Bola Tinubu, represented by Wole Olanipekun, said he is surprised by the application.

“The court is not a stadium or a crusade ground. It is not a theatre or circus,” he said

All the respondents’ counsel prayed the court to dismiss the application.

Meanwhile, all parties in the suit have agreed that materials certified by INEC which would be tendered during the hearing will not be objected to.

The court has adjourned the matter to Friday for continuation.