The All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on July 3 open their defence in the petition challenging the outcome of the February 25 presidential election.

While Atiku Abubakar and the PDP closed their case after calling 27 witnesses, Peter Obi and the Labour Party presented 13 witnesses before closing their case on Friday.

At the last tribunal session, counsel to all the parties told the court that instead of opening defence on June 31, as stated in the pre-hearing schedule, they had agreed that it was better to adjourn further hearing until after the Muslim holiday.

“My lords, all of us took into consideration some salient factors, especially the fact that some of us will love to travel to celebrate with our families and loved ones,” Wole Olanipekun, counsel to President Tinubu, said.

“Moreover, there is likely to be a two-day public holiday… We will, therefore, plead your lordships to adjourn the case till after the Sallah celebration.

“We also want to assure your lordships that on our part, we will not exceed the days allotted to us.

“We will start and close our case the same week.”

The five-member panel of justices, led by Justice Harunna Tsammani, granted the request and adjourned to July 3 for continuation.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to open its defence first.

The February 25 Presidential election has become contentious due largely to non-adherence to rules set by the INEC. Both Atiku and Obi have tendered several documents to buttress their arguments.