There are indications that the proposed nationwide indefinite strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) might stall the appeal of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his counterpart in the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.
A source in the Supreme Court revealed that a panel might be instituted next week for Atiku and Obi’s appeals, however, fears are that the strike might affect the constitution.
The organised labour has resolved to commence a nationwide strike on Tuesday, October 3.
Bothe presidential candidates had on September 19 filed 86 grounds of appeal at the apex court, praying the court to nullify the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
The Supreme Court source, who pleaded anonymity, told The Punch that, “Well, let us look at next week. All things being equal, it should not go beyond next week. But the issue is the strike; we hope it does not disrupt things.
“I can’t pick the day, but hopefully next week, we should have a panel in place. I can’t say the number of the justices and the names that will make the panel.”
Meanwhile, both Atiku and Obi’s camps have expressed optimism that the strike would not in any way affect the appeal.
Speaking with the newspaper in Abuja on Friday, a member of Atiku’s legal team, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, said the strike might not be binding on the Supreme Court.
He stated, “I don’t think the strike will stall the case. The case, like all election petitions, is time-sensitive and time-bound.
“The strike may be indefinite, but the Supreme Court will not comply because the case is time-bound.”
Also, the National Legal Adviser of the Labour Party, Kehinde Edun, expressed optimism that the Federal Government would have resolved the impasse before the sitting of the apex court.
Edun submitted, “Let’s wait and see. I expect the government to quickly resolve the issues surrounding the strike before it gets out of hand. That is just my hope.
“We are also hoping the apex court can constitute a panel quickly so that they can listen to the case. The problem here is that even the court is understaffed at the moment.
“Only 11 justices are remaining at the Supreme Court and, if we are to go by the Constitution, they are supposed to be 21 (maximum). To me, 11 is too short, given the volume of what they have to do.
“Nevertheless, I don’t expect that strike to disrupt things. But no matter what happens, they must sit.”
Read also:
Organized Labour Defy Federal Government Appeal, Insist on Nationwide Strike
How Atiku, Obi may Be Affected by Nationwide Workers Strike