One of the sets of petitioners at the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, the Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, and its candidate, Pastor Aminchi Habu, has given reasons for the decision to withdraw the petition they filed against the outcome of the last presidential election.
The PDM and Habu had, in their petition, asked the court to void the election on the ground that the party’s logo was excluded by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from the ballot papers.
When the petition was called on July 25, 2019, petitioners’ lawyer, Aliyu Lemu said he has been instructed by his clients to apply to withdraw the petition, which had INEC, Buhari and the APC as respondents.
The court consequently dismissed the petition.
Speaking in Abuja, on Monday, August 5, 2019, Habu said his party chose to withdraw the petition because the current Federal Government has agreed to address the many issues affecting his constituency which informed why he chose to contest election.
Habu said there was no division in his party, and that they were not induced by anyone to withdraw their petition.
He said: “I stand before you with a heart full of joy and happiness. I am filled with joy and happiness over the decision I took to withdraw the petition on Tuesday, 23rd July, 2019.
“You will recall that I filed a petition before the Presidential Election Tribunal, which is also the Federal Court of Appeal, to challenge my unlawful exclusion by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“I withdrew my case because I have been vindicated. I came to the honourable court of appeal to seek a remedy for my exclusion, and today I am convinced that I do not need to proceed further with this petition for the reasons I am about to state to you.
“I took the decision to contest the highest office in this country so that I will make a difference to my immediate constituency and the country at large.
“My name is Pastor Aminchi Habu. I represent the marginalised and hard-working people of the Northern Christian Community, Middle Belt and Northern Minorities.
“I took the decision to contest so that I will be a voice for the above constituency which I represent.
“My people were mobilised and ready to overwhelmingly deliver on my mandate only to realise that my party and its logo were missing on the ballot paper. We went to the Court to seek redress for my unlawful exclusion.
“However, in the intervening period since filing my petition, the parties involved have despite the pending petition sought political remedies and solutions to address my concern.
“In the series of the deliberations to my withdrawal, I have interacted with the Respondents and I have been assuaged.
“But most importantly, I have now discovered that the present government of the All Progressives Congress led by President Muhammadu Buhari shares my vision and that of my people.
“The reasons for which I decided to contest the February 23rd general elections of this country are the same vision and zeal which the government of President Muhammadu Buhari operates.
“It is an inclusive government where the voices of the minority are heard despite the majority having their way.
“I have presented the wishes of my people the majority of Nigerians and their desires to this government which has listened and promised to act on these wishes.
“Instead of leading this court to annual the election, I have decided to work with this government to deliver on its electoral promises and mandate.
“I urge all patriotic citizens of this country to join us in giving our support to this government to achieve its electoral promises for the purpose of moving this country to the next level that is the way of statesmanship. That is the way to peace in our country.”
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