APP, NNPP Withdraw Suit Against Abiodun’s Victory

Two political parties, the Action People’s Party (APP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) have discontinued their suit at the Ogun Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal against the re-election of Governor Dapo Abiodun at the March 18, 2023 governorship election in the state.

The APP had filed its petition challenging the election of Dapo Abiodun as the governor-elect on March 18, 2023.

It however, deposed in its application for discontinuation moved on Monday that “upon the re-evaluation of the grounds and facts of the petition, the petitioner is not reasonably convinced about the sustainability of the grounds of the petition as presently constituted before this honourable tribunal.”

APP declared that the withdrawal of the petition is based on the fact that upon a further evaluation of the petition, the petitioner had found that the respondent won the highest number of lawful votes as duly recognized by INEC and permitted by law.”

On his part, the NNPP state chairman, Sunday Oginni said the party, which filed a petition against Abiodun before the tribunal over the alleged omission of the party’s logo on the ballot papers for the governorship election by INEC was ready to withdraw.

“The New Nigeria Peoples Party, Ogun State chapter under the leadership of Comrade Olaposi Oginni Sunday hereby step out of court and withdraw the suit with petition number: EPT/OG/GOV/01/2023”.

“We came to realise that on that same date (March 18) despite the fact that the INEC did not comply with an electoral act that stipulated that the name and logo must be on the ballot.

“The electoratesstill manage to vote for some of NNPP’s candidates and some of our candidates won in some places. For example, in Kano State, the governorship candidate of our party and candidates of NNPP for the House of Assembly and representatives were declared winners”.

The tribunal chairman upheld the applications of the two parties and dismissed the petitions accordingly.