The National leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has debunked the alleged withdrawal of the petition filed against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Ogun State Governor-elect, Dapo Abiodun, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the omission of the name of the party on the ballot papers used in conducting the 2023 governorship election in the state.
The party debunked the notion in a letter dated April 27, 2023, addressed to the Secretary, Ogun State Governorship & State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, Abeokuta and signed by the National Legal Adviser of NNPP, Robert Hon (Esq).
It could be recalled that the Ogun State Chairman of the party, Olaposi Oginni, on Sunday, said the party is withdrawing the petition against the election of Governor Dapo Abiodun before the Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal, saying that the political calendar of Ogun State would be disrupted should the petition succeeds.
But, in a swift reaction by the National leadership of the party in a letter titled, “Notification Of Unauthorised Withdrawal Of Petition NO: EPT/OG/GOV/01/2023 Penpding Before The Ogun State Governorship/State House Of Assembly Election Tribunal Holden At Abeokuta,” debunked the insinuation.
The letter read, “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, the NNPP, has been drawn to the fact that a notice has been filed to withdraw the above-captured suit on behalf of the party.
“We wish to state unequivocally that we do not authorise anybody or group of people nor the counsel on record PETER 1. OGAH ESQ to withdraw the suit pending before the Honourable Tribunal and we do not consent to such withdrawal.
“By the provisions of the Constitution of New Nigeria People’s Party, 2022, particularly Article 27.18 (iii), (v) and (vi); it is only the National Legal Adviser of the Party that can engage the services of an external solicitor where desirable subject to the approval by the National Working Committee (NWC).
“Article 27.18 (v) is hereby reproduced for your ease of reference: “The National Legal Adviser shall: (iii) attend to litigations and legal defence on behalf of the party at all levels including its organs, officials and assets (iv) Coordinate the activities of Legal Advisers at all levels on legal matters affecting the party including but not limited to the terms of engagement external Solicitors.
“(v) Be responsible for engaging external retainers, where desirable, and counsel to handle all litigations involving the party at all levels, with the approval of the National Working Committee. A copy of the said Constitution is hereby attached for your ease of reference.
“The purported notice of withdrawal of the said petition is not part of the terms of engagement of the external counsel and therefore, violates the tenets of our Constitution, which we hold very dear as a party.
“We most humbly urge on the Honourable Tribunal to discountenance the said notice of withdrawal as the Petitioner, NNPP is desirous of prosecuting the Petition before your noble lords to its logical conclusion.
“We, therefore, urge the members of our great party and the general public not to allow the confidence they reposted on the party to be perforated by any person or group of persons.”
