The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Kano State has ordered Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to appear in Court in person, Igbere TV reports.
The Tribunal also ordered Abba Yusuf, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Kano State governorship election, to desist from sending representative but to appear in court in person, to witness the ongoing proceedings.
Igbere TV correspondent covering the proceedings reports that the judge, Justice Halima Shamaki, on two sittings declined to recognize the representatives sent by the duo to witness the court process.
At the last court session, Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kano State, Abdullahi Abbas informed the Court that he was sent to represent Governor Ganduje.
Similarly, a former aide to Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Yunusa Dangwoni announced his appearance on behalf of PDP governorship candidate, Abba Kabiru Yusuf.
The tribunal judge noted that the duo of Abdullahi Ganduje and Abba Yusuf are not allowed to appear before the court by proxy.
Justice Shamaki ruled “they can not be represented, if they want to come they should come, I said it and I expect counsel to guide them properly.”
The tribunal also urged counsels to the parties involved in the matter to be ready to work within the set out time frame, stressing that election proceedings are time-bound.
The judge disclosed that key witnesses in the ongoing case would be accorded 20 minutes to testify, while other witnesses would be accorded 10 minutes to testify.
Igbere TV reports that 253 witnesses of the PDP will all testify within the period of 14 days, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Ganduje and the APC would be allotted 10 days each to present their witnesses.
“I am like a moving train, I cannot be stopped, I do not allow waste of time, I said it.
“I will not entertain request for adjournment from any junior lawyer, all of you in your team have more than one SAN, we must move fast, because of time” the judge cautioned.
