PDM withdraws case against Buhari, cites national interest

The Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, and its candidate, Pastor Aminchi Habu, Wednesday withdrew the petition both filed against President Muhammadu Buhari to nullify the outcome of the February 23 presidential election.

The party had sought redress before its logo was not included in the ballot paper that was used for the presidential election, and had therefore prayed the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja to void President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election and order a fresh poll.

In two separate affidavits that were deposed to by both its presidential candidate, Habu, and National Secretary, Abubakar Gwada, the party said it decided to terminate hearing on the case for the national interest.

“Both said they have found other alternative ways of seeking redress for the complaints alleged in our petition.

“It will be best to withdraw our petition in the circumstance to decongest the docket of this honourable court and save precious judicial time and to prevent the Respondents from any unnecessary expense of defending this Petition.

“That withdrawing this petition is an extreme circumstance otherwise this honourable court will be put to the task of hearing a petition which the Petitioners no longer wish to pursue.

“That the grant of this application will not prejudice the respondents in any way. That it will be in the interest of Justice to grant this Application”, the party added.

Neither INEC, President Buhari or the APC opposed the application that was hinged on paragraphs 29 and 47 of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended.

In its ruling, the Justice Garba-led panel granted the petitioners leave to move the withdrawal application outside the pre-hearing period. 

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