The Anambra governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka yesterday struck out the petition filed by the candidate of Accord party Dr Godwin Maduka.
Similarly there indications that four more petitioners may withdraw their petitions against the victory of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA following alleged internal challenges that has to do with the discrepancies between the political parties and their respective candidates.
Also yesterday the tribunal judges led by it’s Chairman Hon Justice D Mohammed granted the Exparte Motions filed by Prof Charles Soludo of APGA and Sen Andy Uba of APC to inspect materials used during the November 6th governorship election in the area.
The striking out of Maduka’s petition was consequent upon an application filed by counsel to Accord party and it’s candidate ND Agu praying that the matter be struck out on the grounds that Maduka is no longer interested in the petition.
Agu further submitted that though the petition was filed , non of the respondents were served adding that in the light of this development and pursuant to Oder 56 , Rule 2 sub paragraph 1 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure rules of 2019 , supported with an application in respect of petition it should be struck out as the petitioner is no longer interested in the petition.
Granting the Exparte Motion filed by Soludo and Uba the tribunal ordered that both parties should be allowed by the Independent National Electoral INEC to inspect the election materials in the company of the police, the Department of State Services DSS, Applicant and Respondent.
Earlier counsel to Soludo and INEC Mr S.I Ezeokenwa had prayed the tribunal to allow joint inspection of the election materials which the tribunal ruled that the two motions though may appear similar was not consolidated.
Currently four political parties and their candidates may be withdrawing their petitions before the end of this month as it was gathered that some candidates are currently having issues with their party leadership over continuing with the litigations or withdrawing them.
Party leaders that were spoken to by this reporter failed to speak more on this development and pleaded that their names and that of their parties should not be mentioned.