The Rivers state Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Port Harcourt Wednesday dismissed the petition of the Labour Party and its candidate, Isaac Wonwu against the victory of Governor Nyesom Wike.

Also, the tribunal has dismissed the petition of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) against the Peoples Democratic Party and Governor Wike and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The LP candidate had through his counsel Uche Olewunne applied for the withdrawal of the petition.

In response, the tribunal chairman, Justice G.K Kaigama, granted the order when following all the lawyers in the matter did not oppose the application to withdraw from the tribunal.

Olewunne later said it was the decision of his clients to withdraw their petition.

“My clients decided to work in synergy with the Governor, so they will like to let the petition go. That was what we came for and the court in its wisdom has granted that.

“Election petition is suit generic, unlike other civil matters that you can bring back. In this case, you can’t resurrect the matter. So, at this point, it is goodbye to the Elections petition tribunal.”

In the same vein, the petition of PPP was dismissed following an application for withdrawal by the party.

Counsel to PPP, Chibuzor Ezike who is also the National Legal Adviser of the party, said his party after due consultation decided to withdraw the petition for the interest of Rivers state.

Ezike also dismissed insinuations that the withdrawal was linked to monetary inducement.

Also Speaking, INEC counsel, Abdulakeem Mustapha, defended his decision to opt for the dismissal of the matter instead of striking out as sought by the Labour Party as stated in the Electoral Act.

“We filed a notice of preliminary objection that the petition be dismissed that it lacks merit and it is not in compliance with the Electoral Act of 2010 as Amended.

“Based on that, the parties came up and decided to withdraw,” Mustapha said.