The Senator representing Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim, on Tuesday withdrew his suit against the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Ondo Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Recall that Ibrahim had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the outcome of the gubernatorial primary election of the APC in Ondo State. He had claimed that there was no voting in his senatorial district and a larger part of the state.
In a notice of withdrawal filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja with suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/588/2024, Ibrahim “discontinued the suit against all the defendants in the interest of all concerned”.
Ibrahim, while briefing journalists at the Senate on Tuesday, said he withdrew the suit in deference to President Bola Tinubu, who waded in the issue. Reading a statement titled, ‘Presidential intervention and notice of withdrawal suit No. FHC /ABJ/ CS/588/2024’, Ibrahim said: “The suit is now withdrawn due to the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
“The President called me, had a meeting with me, and assured me that he will as the leader of the party improve on internal democracy within our party, and I will need to withdraw the case to enable him to chart a way forward.
“The Governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, earlier visited my Asokoro residence for several hours after another unsuccessful visit to my hotel room in Akure.
“I cannot disobey the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because the issue I am fighting for is not personal.
“It is simply to improve internal democracy to which the President has promised improvement. My respect for the President is absolute!
“Let me use this opportunity to thank Mr. President for the words of wisdom and encouragement during my meeting with him which lasted over one hour and his various interactions with me on the telephone during which he emphasized his commitment to internal democracy over and over again. Thank you, Mr. President.
“The withdrawal of this legendary suit coincides with the first anniversary of Mr. President’s incredible performance in office, and this is my gift of the ‘cake’ of the first anniversary!”
