The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, Dr Wole Oluyede, has withdrawn his petition challenging the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).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 Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ado-Ekiti struck out the petition on Tuesday following a formal application for withdrawal filed by Oluyede.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, also comprises Justice Aminu Tukur and Justice Maurice Okediya.
Oluyede’s counsel, Mr Paul Komolafe, moved the motion seeking to withdraw the petition, which was not opposed by counsel representing Oyebanji and the APC, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), as well as counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Sulaiman Ibrahim.
Following the unopposed application, Justice Kutigi ordered that the petition be struck out in accordance with the petitioner’s request.
INEC had declared Oyebanji the winner of the election after he polled 319,224 votes, while Oluyede secured 40,543 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Chief Dare Bejide, came third with 12,872 votes.
Speaking after the tribunal struck out his petition, Oluyede said his decision was influenced by appeals from what he described as “important people”, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said the decision was also informed by the need for political actors in Ekiti and Nigeria to work together for the development of the state and the country.
“My decision was based on the fact that what Ekiti and Nigeria need now is to seek the way forward. It’s not easy to withdraw your petition when you know you have a case, but I took the action at the request of people who are important to me, I mean the President and several advisers,” Oluyede said.
He added that he had been advised to withdraw the case and support efforts to secure victory for President Tinubu in the next presidential election.
“They have all asked me to withdraw the matter and advised that everybody should come together and let the President win the next election and bring Ekiti forward,” he said.
Oluyede stressed that his decision did not mean he had left the PDP.
“I am a member of PDP and still remain a member of PDP and we have an election in January for President Tinubu,” he said.
He also disclosed that Governor Oyebanji had reached out to him following his victory and expressed willingness to work together.
According to Oluyede, both sides would collaborate during the forthcoming presidential election in the interest of Ekiti State and Nigeria.
“The Governor too has extended a hand of friendship across to me and we will work together when the election comes and see how things go. It’s just for the betterment of Ekiti and Nigeria,” he added.
Meanwhile, the tribunal adjourned proceedings to Thursday, September 10, for ruling on the parties’ pre-hearing report.
The substantive hearing of separate petitions filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Mr Isaac Adebayo Alade, as well as the Action Alliance (AA) and its candidate, Mr Matthew Olu Omotoso, has been scheduled for Monday, September 14.
The two parties are challenging Oyebanji’s declaration as winner of the election by INEC.
Alade polled 179 votes in the election, while Omotoso secured 126 votes.
The petitioners were represented by Dr Nnamdi Ikpeazu.
Justice Kutigi urged counsel for the petitioners to ensure that all respondents were duly served ahead of the hearing and to produce their witnesses in court on Monday for the commencement of proceedings.
The tribunal subsequently fixed September 10 for ruling on the pre-hearing report and September 14 for the substantive hearing of the remaining petitions.
