Lagos East: Tribunal Strikes Out APM’s Petition Against Senator Abiru

The National Assembly and State House of Assembly Election
Tribunal sitting in Ikeja, on Tuesday struck out a petition by the
Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) challenging the December 5, 2020
election victory of Senator Adetokunbo Abiru.

The three-man panel made the order after granting an application
by the APM and its candidate Olusola Taiwo Moses Babatope to
withdraw their petition.

The panel is chaired by Justice Bassey Ikpeme with Justice
Mohammed L. Abubakar and Justice M.M. Odanya completing the
team.

Abiru, following his landslide victory at the polls, represents
Lagos East Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

But, dissatisfied with the election outcome, the APM approached
the tribunal seeking to nullify it.

Apart from third defendant Abiru, his party – the All
Progressives Congress (APC) – and the Independent National Election
Commission (INEC), are the first and second respondents.

Yesterday’s session was scheduled for hearing of the APC and
INEC’s objections to the APM and Babatope’s petition.

But the petitioners did not file any response to the
respondent’s objections.

Rather, APM and Babatope, having appraised the respondents’
defence to their petition, filed an application seeking to withdraw
it.

Abiru’s counsel, Mr Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, confirmed receipt of the
petitioners’ application to withdraw.

Pinheiro informed the Tribunal that under paragraph 30 of the
First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010 (as Amended), Abiru had
filed the affidavit required and would not be opposed to the
application.

The APC’s counsel, Mr Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, and INEC also
confirmed receipt of the petitioner’s application to withdraw.

Consequently, the APM and Babatope’s application to withdraw
their petition was heard, granted and the tribunal struck out the
petition.

The National Assembly and State House of Assembly Election
Tribunal sitting in Ikeja, on Tuesday struck out a petition by the
Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) challenging the December 5, 2020
election victory of Senator Adetokunbo Abiru.

The three-man panel made the order after granting an application
by the APM and its candidate Olusola Taiwo Moses Babatope to
withdraw their petition.

The panel is chaired by Justice Bassey Ikpeme with Justice
Mohammed L. Abubakar and Justice M.M. Odanya completing the
team.

Abiru, following his landslide victory at the polls, represents
Lagos East Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

But, dissatisfied with the election outcome, the APM approached
the tribunal seeking to nullify it.

Apart from third defendant Abiru, his party – the All
Progressives Congress (APC) – and the Independent National Election
Commission (INEC), are the first and second respondents.

Yesterday’s session was scheduled for hearing of the APC and
INEC’s objections to the APM and Babatope’s petition.

But the petitioners did not file any response to the
respondent’s objections.

Rather, APM and Babatope, having appraised the respondents’
defence to their petition, filed an application seeking to withdraw
it.

Abiru’s counsel, Mr Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, confirmed receipt of the
petitioners’ application to withdraw.

Pinheiro informed the Tribunal that under paragraph 30 of the
First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010 (as Amended), Abiru had
filed the affidavit required and would not be opposed to the
application.

The APC’s counsel, Mr Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, and INEC also
confirmed receipt of the petitioner’s application to withdraw.

Consequently, the APM and Babatope’s application to withdraw
their petition was heard, granted and the tribunal struck out the
petition.