Plateau Election Tribunal Drops To 15 Petitioners, As NNPP Candidate Withdraw Petition Against Napoleon Bali
Yakubu Busari
In the National and State Houses of Assembly Plateau State Election Petition Tribunal Holden at Jos, there is a likelihood that the number of petitions might be dropping down owing to some of the aggrieved candidates withdrawing their petitions ahead of the inaugural sitting.
The New Nigerian People Party ,NNPP , for the Plateau Senatorial district, Hon.Timlok Fyenda on Friday withdraw his petition earlier filed to challenge the declaration of AVM Napoleon Bali victory for the plateau South Senatorial seat.
However ,the petitioners in a suit No,EPT /PL/SEN/05/2023 Timlok Fyenda and NNPP against Independent National Electoral Commission ,INEC, AVM Napoleon Bali and People Democratic Party ,PDP as respondents.
Counsel to the petitioners, Barr.Seun Ajobiewe represented by Barr.Ayuba Denis told the court that his motion on notice was 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.
According to him, the petition is predicted to seek the following: an order of the honourable tribunal granting leave to the applicants to withdraw petition No,EPT/PL/SEN /05/2023.
An order of this honourable tribunal granting leave to the applicants to withdraw the petition and an order of this honourable tribunal granting dismissing petition no, EPT/PL/SEN/05/2023.
The petitioners predicted on three grounds upon which reliefs are sought: that the 1st petitioner’s 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 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 petitioner’s counsel didn’t follow 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 petitioner’s counsel and slammed the cost of #50,000.00 each to be paid 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 penciled for withdrawal from the list of petitioners numbering 17 but now dropped to 15 petitioners pending before the election tribunal in Plateau state.
