Strong indications have emerged 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.
Recall that the Organised Labour has resolved to commence a nationwide strike on Tuesday, October 3. The duo 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.
A top source in the Supreme Court revealed that a panel might be instituted next week for Atiku and Obi’s appeals everything being equal; however, fears are that the strike might affect the constitution.
The Supreme Court source, who spoke to Newsmen but pleaded anonymity, said, “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 newsmen 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.
