Ekiti Governorship Tribunal: Oluyede Withdraws Petition Challenging Oyebanji’s Re-election
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the June 20 election in Ekiti State, Dr Wole Oluyede, has withdrawn his petition challenging the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The three-member Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, struck out the petition following Oluyede’s application to withdraw the case.
The tribunal, chaired by Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, granted the withdrawal after counsel to Oluyede and the PDP, Mr Paul Komolafe, moved the motion. Other members of the panel are Justice Aminu Tukur and Justice Maurice Okediya.
Counsel to Governor Oyebanji and the APC, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), as well as counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Sulaiman Ibrahim, did not oppose the application.
Speaking after the case was struck out, Oluyede said he withdrew the petition following appeals from people he described as important to him, including President Bola Tinubu and several advisers.
He said the decision was aimed at promoting unity and ensuring the development of Ekiti State and Nigeria.Oluyede also disclosed that Governor Oyebanji had extended a hand of fellowship to him and expressed willingness to work together ahead of the forthcoming presidential election.
He, however, maintained that he remained a member of the PDP.INEC had declared Oyebanji winner of the election with 319,224 votes, while Oluyede polled 40,543 votes.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Chief Dare Bejide, came third with 12,872 votes.
Meanwhile, the tribunal has fixed Thursday, September 10, for ruling on the pre-hearing report and Monday, September 14, for the commencement of hearing on petitions filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Isaac Adebayo Alade, and the Action Alliance (AA) candidate, Matthew Olu Omotoso, challenging Oyebanji’s victory.
The tribunal chairman directed the petitioners’ counsel to ensure that all respondents are served promptly and witnesses are produced for the commencement of the substantive hearing.
