Petitions filed by Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and All People’s Party (APP) against the re-election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat were on Wednesday thrown out by the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
In acknowledgement of the parties’ withdrawal of the petitions, Justice Arum Ashom-led three-man Tribunal dismissed the case.
As gathered by Theliberationnews, counsel to the two parties, Messrs Henry Bello and Francis Ese, respectively, told the tribunal that their clients decided to withdraw the petitions.
According to Ashom, “The sum effect of what the petitioners said is that the petitions are withdrawn. The respondents have filed an affidavit of non-collision and did not object.”
The other respondents to the two petitions are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and All Progressives Congress (APC).
APM counsel, Bello, had informed the tribunal that the motion for the withdrawal of the petitions against Sanwo-Olu was predicated on four grounds and supported by two affidavits sworn to by the party’s National Chairman, Mr Yusuf Dantalle.
“Our candidate has lost interest in the petition and has proceeded to congratulate the second respondent,” Bello said.
Counsel to APP, Ese, also told the tribunal that he had the directive of the Chairman of the party, Chief Okey Nwosu, to withdraw the petition against the governor-elect.
INEC counsel, Mr John Baiyeshe (SAN), did not oppose the motions as he urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitions.
Counsel to Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat, Mr Ayuba Kawu, and APC counsel, Mr Abiodun Owonikoko, also did not oppose the motions but also urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitions against the Lagos governor.
