Tribunal shuns PDP, Ize-Iyamu’s request for extension of time

The Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal has refused to grant the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate in last September election in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, an extension of time, as the 14 days allowed to present evidences and call witnesses ended at 1pm on Friday.
Chairman of the three-member panel, Justice Ahmed Badamasi, said that apart from the fact that the tribunal lacks the powers for such an extension, the application for extension of time lacked merit and so it was refused.
During its 14 days, the petitioners called 91 witnesses out of about 1000 they had projected. 
The tribunal adjourned sitting till Tuesday, 14th February 2017, when it will be the turn of the 1st respondent (INEC) to have its 14 days to defend the result of the election, in which it gave victory to the APC.
A witness, Moses Okikpere, who claimed to be a member of Action Alliance, was subpoenaed to testify before the tribunal for petitioners – Peoples Democratic Party and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
During cross-examination, Moses denied submitting a report to his party that the election was properly conducted.
He contradicted himself when he claimed that none of his party agents signed the election results but later confirmed that they signed after he was shown some Units results where his party agents signed.
Moses insisted that he was a member of AA even though the petitioners listed him as a member of Progressive Peoples Alliance.
On how he got the voter register with which he made his statement of claim, Moses said his party leadership never applied for Certified True Copies of voter register neither did he see the voter register at the petitioners’ office.