The Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, has dismissed the petition filed by the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party challenging the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun of All Progressives Congress.
The Tribunal judges in a unanimous decision on Monday also affirmed that the Ogun State Chairman of the Party, Olaposi Oginni is the original owner of the petition filed by the party, while confirming Peter Ogah as the authentic counsel of NPPP.
The three judges unanimously agreed that Oginni has the right to withdraw the petition filed against Governor Abiodun.
Recall that, NNPP had filed a petition before the Tribunal, challenging the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the March 18 election.
The party in the election petition with suit number; EPT/OG/GOV/01/2023 dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission, Governor Abiodun, and his party, APC before the Tribunal over an alleged omission of the NNPP’s name on the ballot papers used for the governorship and assembly elections held in the state.
Oginni, however, announced the withdrawal of its petition against the Independent National Electoral Commission and the victory of the state governor, Dapo Abiodun.
The NNPP chairman at a press briefing held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital noted that the withdrawal is based on the ground that the NNPP won in Kano State, among other reasons.
The Tribunal judges unanimously granted Oginni’s motion of notice to withdraw the petition.
While dismissing the petition, the Tribunal stressed that the owner of the petition has the right to withdraw it at any time.
Reacting to the ruling, Oginni described the ruling as a testament that he remains the one incharge of the party affairs in Ogun State.
He said, “I feel happy, I feel elated. It is the beauty of democracy, and what happened today is to tell the whole world that due process has been followed.
“Whatever we do was in the interest of our party and in moving Ogun State forward. We have no other option than to make sure the petition is dismissed so we don’t use this to affect our victory in Kano because same ballot papers were used there.”
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