The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and its Enugu State governorship candidate, Frank Nweke Jr., have officially withdrawn the petition filed against the Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah, challenging the results of the March 18 governorship election in the state. The petition, with suit number EPTEN/GOV/07/2023, was withdrawn during the tribunal proceedings as the petitioners’ counsel, Prof. Race Achara, made an oral application to withdraw it. The counsel representing the first, second, and third respondents expressed no objection to Nweke’s application, leading to the tribunal’s ruling to strike out the petition.
Additionally, the Labour Party’s governorship candidate, Chijioke Edeogah, has also closed his petition against Governor Peter Mbah. The petitioner’s counsel, Valerie Azinge (SAN), informed the court of the decision after the cross-examination of the fourth subpoenaed witness. While the Labour Party had initially planned to present 37 witnesses and 4 subpoenas in their deposition, they were only able to call 30 witnesses and 4 subpoenas during the proceedings.
The court has adjourned the sitting to July 18 for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to open its case in response to the withdrawn petitions.
