Justice Nasiru Gumi, Chairman, National and State Assembly Re-run Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Lokoja has vowed to resist any move to influence its decision.

Gumi, who made the vow at the inaugural sitting of the tribunal in Lokoja on Tuesday, urged counsel not to indulge in practices that would result in unnecessary adjournments as time was of essence.

Flanked by justices Catherine Nwobodo and Naheem Omotola, members I and II of the tribunal, the chairman said none of the six petitions before the tribunal would die in its hands.

“The mission of the tribunal is to look into all the petitions before it and do substantial justice. The petitions will be decided on merit, the panel would resist every move to influence its decision.’’

He urged politicians, supporters of petitioners and respondents who had thugs, to keep them away from the state High Court premises, venue of the tribunal.

Mr Liman Salihu, the Chairman of Lokoja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), on behalf of Idah and Okene branches, pledged that the counsel would conduct themselves in a professional manner.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that of the six petitions arising from the Feb. 20 re-run election, two are of the Senate, one House of Representatives while the rest three are challenging state assembly elections.