By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District in the Senate, Jimoh Ibrahim has announced the reason for the formal withdrawal of a lawsuit filed to seek nullification of the primary election that produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
From the April 20 primary election, Aiyedatiwa emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the forthcoming election in Ondo State.
The situation didn’t go well with the senator which made him approach a Federal High Court in Abuja, citing irregularities.
Ibrahim, in a statement issued on Tuesday, 28 May, 2024, said this decision was a result of a personal intervention by President Bola Tinubu who reached out to him and had a productive meeting with him.
According to him, he noted that Tinubu assured him of his commitment to enhancing internal democracy within our party.
“Based on his assurances and leadership, I have decided to withdraw the case to support his efforts to pave a new way forward for our party,” he said.
The Senator also noted Aiyedatiwa’s effort and urged the general public to see the withdrawn suit as a gift to mark Tinubu’s one year in office.
These were disclosed in the statement titled, “Presidential intervention and notice of withdrawal suit No
FHC/ABJ/CS/588/2024.”
He acknowledged his “absolute” respect for Tinubu saying that he can never disobey him.
It read, “The suit is now withdrawn due to the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. The President called me and had a meeting with me.
“He assured me that he would as the leader of the party improve on internal democracy within our party, and I would 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.”
According to the statement, the withdrawal of this “legendary suit” is concise with the first anniversary of Mr President’s incredible performance in office, and this is my gift of the “cake” of the first anniversary! Thank you all for your support.
Meanwhile, the APC in Igbotako Ward II, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State suspended Ibrahim, whom they alleged was involved in anti-party party activities.
However, the action was immediately countered.
In a swift reaction, another group of 55 members of the party, who identified themselves as members of the same Igbotako Ward II executive and in Okitipupa Local Government, disagreed with the purported suspension of Ibrahim as they passed a vote of confidence in the senator.
