In a letter he released on Tuesday, Senator Ibrahim noted that he had to submit to the presidential directive and intervention, hence his withdrawal of the suit.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim who represents Ondo South District in the National Assembly has said that President Bola Tinubu directed him to withdraw a suit he filed seeking to void the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election that produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the candidate of the party for the November election.
In a letter he released on Tuesday, Senator Ibrahim noted that he had to submit to the presidential directive and intervention, hence his withdrawal of the suit.
His statement was titled, “Presidential intervention and notice of withdrawal suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/588/2024.”
He said, “The suit is now withdrawn due to the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.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’m 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 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.”
Senator Ibrahim instituted the suit at the Abuja Division of the Court on May 3, 2024, seeking to void the primary election that produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the candidate of the party for the November election. The defendants in the suit are the APC, Governor Aiyedatiwa and INEC.
The suit came up for mention on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 before Justice Inyang Ekwo.
Senator Ibrahim was represented by Chief Chris Uche, SAN while APC was represented by Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, leading Matthew Burka, SAN, Sunusi, SAN, Professor Abdulkareem Gana, the National Legal Adviser of APC, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, the National Secretary of APC and other lawyers.