A controversy has arisen over the header on the Certified True Copies (CTC) of the recent judgment by the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC). The CTC reportedly had the imprint “Tinubu Presidential Legal Team” (TPLT) as its header, causing confusion and speculation. The Labour Party has called for an explanation from the PEPC and the TPLT to clarify the situation, stating that this development must be cleared up quickly to avoid further conjectures. The party emphasized that the header is not a watermark and urged transparency in disclosing whose imprimatur is inscribed on the entire judgment.
Yesterday, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar had also demanded some explanation from the Presidential Election Petitions Court, surrounding the header on the Certified True Copies of the Judgement.
Speaking through his aide, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President inquired to know why Tinubu Presidential Legal Team (TPLT) are been accorded special privileges.
Abubakar’s enquiry came hours after a member of the TPLT, Babatunde Ogala SAN offered some clarification.
**STATEMENT FROM LABOUR PARTY**
**PEPC AND APC MUST COME CLEAN ON THE HEADER REFLECTED ON THE CTC OF THE JUDGMENT ISSUED TO APC**
….Says let it not be another glitch
Consequent upon the revelation that Certified True Copies (CTC) of the recent judgment by the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) had an imprint, “Tinubu Presidential Legal Team” (TPLT) as its header, Nigerians are curious about such happenstance that has inevitably generated storm and controversy.
The Labour Party was very disturbed by the delay in releasing the judgment expeditiously, only to be confronted with this befuddlement.
The public is equally at pains trying to comprehend what is happening.
The onus of explaining and dousing the unfolding controversy rests on the PEPC and the TPLT, the imprint owners. Clearly, the header is not a watermark. We note that only some of the petitioners received the same version.
In a highly contentious case with dire national interest and implications, confirming that the PEPC did not confer any advantage, rights, or privileges to any party is imperative. This development must be cleared up quickly to avoid conjectures and the belief that something untoward happened. This cannot be the case of another glitch.
The unsigned and undated statement issued purportedly by a senior counsel on behalf of the Tinubu Legal Team is misconceived and empty. The senior counsel claimed that the header is a watermark! It is not and can never be. Typically, a watermark is a faint imprint or design made on some papers during production and which can be seen when held up to the light. It helps in checking the genuineness of the paper.
The senior counsel is responsible for unsubstantiating his claims and should not pass the buck to innocent parties. We of the Labour Party place it on record that the counsel who collected the judgment on behalf of our party and our candidate did so long after a representative of Tinubu Legal Team.
Meanwhile, we call on the PEPC and APC to come clean on the CTC imprint and disclose whose imprimatur is inscribed on the entire judgment. Nigerians deserve the right to know and are demanding urgent answers.
SIGNED
Obiora Ifoh
National Publicity Secretary Labour Party
10-09-2023
