Ex-minister explains withdrawal of suit against APC

A former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu on Friday said he voluntarily withdrew his suit against the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Supreme Court.

The former minister made the disclosure on Friday. It would be recalled that Shittu had challenged his disqualification from participating in the APC governorship primary at the high court and Appeal Court.

Shittu’s suit which was hinged on his non-participation in the National Youth Service Corps was dismissed in both courts having been instituted outside the stipulated time frame allowed by the Electoral Act.

“When the appeal came up before the Supreme Court on Thursday and before same could be heard, my counsel stood up and voluntarily withdrew the appeal. It must be noted that the dismissal of the suit was based on the application of my counsel and same was not predicated on the decision of the case on the merits,” the ex-minister explained.

He added that he listened to the advice of his counsel who made reference to the decision of the Court of Appeal in Dapo Abiodun’s case, hinting further that the Appeal Court held categorically that the possession or non-possession of an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate was not a prerequisite for contesting elections in Nigeria.

“Therefore, the Appeal Court has already laid the issue to rest effectively and there is therefore, no need to flog a dead horse,” he said.