The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of the substantive suit filed by the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the governor of Bauchi State, Muhammed Abubakar, to March 21.
Although an appeal have been made by the counsel to the APC, Ahmed Raji, to the effect that he would need time to reply the preliminary objection and a counter affidavit served it by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The judge, Inyang Ekwo, had granted an interim injunction restraining INEC from resuming, concluding and announcing the governorship election result in the state, pending the determination of all issues raised by the plaintiffs in their originating summons.
The plaintiffs in the suit are challenging the decision of INEC to resume collation of results of an election that was earlier declared inconclusive.
Mr Ekwo added that the substantive matter shall be taken alongside the preliminary objection raised by INEC.Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has also appeared in court seeking to be joined in the suit as an interested and affected party.
The PDP also petitioned the National Judicial Council over what it described as a violation of the Constitution and Electoral Act by Mr Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan on Wednesday, the party accused the judge of sitting on a matter that ought to have been handled by an election petition tribunal, as created by the provisions of the laws.
Earlier, justice Ekwo had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission not to go ahead with its plan collation, conclusion and announcement of the results of the March 9 Bauchi State governorship elections.
The order was based on an ex-parte application filed by the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the incumbent governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar.
The court held that the restraining order is to last till the determination of the suit brought before the court by the two plaintiffs.
