APC senatorial candidate withdraws petition against incumbent

By Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

The Plateau North senatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and former Secretary to the State Government, Rufus Bature on Thursday formally withdraws his petition challenging the victory of Senator Istifanus Gyang and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the National and state Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, the Plateau state capital.

Senator Gyang, who succeeds Senator Jonah Jang was elected to represent Plateau North in the National Assembly.

Bature through his counsel M.S. Salihu filed a motion for the withdrawal of the petition, informing the tribunal that the prosecution of the petition would be a further waste of time.

The tribunal’s presiding judge, Justice T.N. Nzeukwu granted the motion and dismissed the petition before the tribunal since there was no objection over the application for the withdrawal from the respondents, Senator Gyang, PDP and INEC.

Leading a team of lawyers for Sen. Gyang, Counsel to the PDP candidate, H. N. Uguawala expressed satisfaction with the withdrawal of the petition by the APC candidate.

Reacting to the news of the withdrawal, Sen. Gyang described the development as the will of God for him to serve the people of Plateau North Senatorial District and reaffirmed his determination to uphold and deliver on the mandate given to him by the people of Plateau North.