From Yakubu Busari,Jos
In the National and State Houses of Assembly Plateau State Election Petition Tribunal Holden at Jos, the numbers of swollen petitions is dropping down owning as some of the aggrieved candidates are withdrawing their petitions ahead of the May 29 inauguration day.
The New Nigerian People Party, NNPP ,for the Plateau Senatorial district ,Hon.Timlok Fyenda on Friday withdrew his petition earlier filed to challenge the declaration of AVM Napoleon Bali victory for Plateau South Senatorial seat .
In suit No EPT /PL/SEN/05/2023 which Timlok Fyenda and NNPP filed against Independent National Electoral Commission ,INEC, AVM Napoleon Bali and People Democratic Party, PDP as respondents, his counsel, Barr.Seun Ajobiewe represented by Barr.Ayuba Denis told the court that his motion on notice brought in pursuant to paragraphs 29(1-6) of the first schedule of the electoral act, 2022 and under the inherent jurisdiction of this honourable tribunal would be withdrawn.
The petitioners predicted three grounds upon which reliefs were sought : that the 1st petitioner life and that of his family members are being threatened for bringing this petition and as such they can’t move freely within their community .
That the 1st petitioner has been pressurized by elders of Plateau State and his community to withdraw the petition which is dated 12th April ,2023 and filed on the 13th April ,2023 respectively.
That the 1st petitioner and the 2nd petitioner had deliberated and in view of the threats and pressure on the 1st petitioner and his family, that the best course of action is to withdraw this petition on 11 April, 2023.
Before moving the motion the counsel to the 2&3 respondents, Barr John Tsok raised objections that the petitioners counsel didn’t following the due process of the electoral act 213 (1-6) and 29(1-6) which they were served yesterday Thursday the 13th day of April ,2023 .
Barr .P.E.Dakyen ,assistant Legal officer of PDP, represented his party .
The one man panel by Hon.Justice Bello Mohammed Tukur granted the prayers as pleaded by the petitioners counsel and slams cost of N50,000.00 each to be pay to the 1,2,& 3 respondents as total cost.
The 11 paragraphs affidavit attached with a written address was granted as prayed .
In addition the petition of Hon. Vincent Bulus Venman was also pencilled for withdrawal for the list of petitioners numbering to 17 but now dropped to 15 petitioners pending before the election tribunal in Plateau State .
