The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday dismissed two petitions filed by the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the Action People’s Party (APP) against the election of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
The petitions, marked EPT/Gov/01/2023 and EPT/OG/Gov/04/2023, were dismissed following the applications by the two political parties for withdrawal.
During sitting yesterday, counsel to the parties, Peter Ogah withdrew the petitions based on the motion of discountenance earlier filed before the tribunal.
The respondents’ counsel, Ganiyu Ogunsanwo did not oppose the application for the withdrawal of the two petitions.
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In his ruling, the three-man tribunal headed by Justice Hamidu Kunaza dismissed the petitions.
The tribunal also dismissed an attempt by the national leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party through its legal adviser for a change of counsel representing the party at the governorship election petition tribunal.
The tribunal held that no motion or application had been filed before it by the National Working Committee of the party informing the tribunal of the plan to change the counsel for the party at the tribunal.
The state Chairman of NNPP, Oginni Olaposi had explained that the party withdrew the petition because it could be counterproductive to the interest of the party.
NNPP had challenged the omission of the party’s name on the ballot used during the March 18 governorship poll.