Ondo guber: Why I withdrew suit against Ayiedatiwa – Jimoh Ibrahim
The senator representing Ondo South Senatorial district and governorship aspirant in the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election last April has withdrawn his suit challenging the victory of the party’s candidate, Governor Lucky Ayiedatiwa.
Senator Ibrahim hinged his decision on the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
Following the declaration of Ayiedatiwa as the winner of the party’s April 16 shadow election by the chairman of the Election Committee, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo-led, the lawmaker approached an Abuja Federal High Court to challenge the victory, claiming there was no voting in his senatorial district and a larger part of the state.
However, on Tuesday, May 28, the business mogul turned politician in a statement personally signed by him and titled: “Presidential intervention and notice of withdrawal suit No. FHC /ABJ/ CS/588/2024,” announced the withdrawal of the suit.
The statement reads: “The suit is now withdrawn due to the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. The president also called me, had a meeting with me and assured me that he will as a leader of the party improve on internal democracy within our party and I will need to withdraw the case to enable him to chat a way forward.
“I cannot disobey the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because the issue I’m fighting for is not personal. It is simple to improve internal democracy to which the president has promised improvement. My respect for the president is absolute.”
He commended the president for his timely intervention.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to thank Mr. President for the words of wisdom and encouragement during my meeting with him which lasted over one hour and his various interactions with me on the phone during which he emphasised his commitment to internal democracy over and over again. Thank you, Mr President.
“The withdrawal of this legendary suit coincided with the first anniversary of Mr President’s incredible performance in office and this is my gift of the “cake” of the first anniversary.”
He also attributed his decision to efforts made by the party’s candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to reach out to him for an amicable settlement of their differences.
According to Ibrahim, “The Governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, earlier visited my Asokoro resident for several hours after another unsuccessful visit to my hotel room in Akure.”
