NNPP hq overrules Ogun chapter on petition against Gov Abiodun’s re-election

headquarters of New Peoples Party of Nigeria (NNPP) has reversed the decision of its Ogun State chapter to withdraw its petition against All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The petition calls for the March 18 election to be canceled because the party’s name was left on the ballot paper.

PREMIUM TIMES reported on the announcement of the retirement of the state chairman of the party, Olaposi Oginni.

Mr. Oginni said proceeding with the petition may be counterproductive considering that similar ballot papers were used to conduct the election in Kano, which the party won.

The party chairman also claimed that some unnamed people in the party at the national level wanted to hijack the petition.

His claim was confirmed on Sunday in a statement made available to reporters by the party’s legal adviser.

The legal adviser, Robert Hone, gave the position of the national leadership of the party in a letter dated April 27 and addressed to the Secretary, Ogun State Governor and the State House of Assembly Election Petition.

Letters Title: “Notice of Unauthorized Withdrawal of Petition: EPT/OG/GOV/01/2023 pending before Ogun State Government / State Assembly Electoral Tribunal Holden At Abeokuta”, Court Withdrawal Notice she asked him to leave her alone. state chapter

“It has been brought to the attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, NNPP, that a notice of withdrawal of the suit taken on behalf of the party has been submitted,” the letter said.

“We wish to state unequivocally that we do not allow any person, group of persons or lawyer to withdraw the case before the Honorable PETER 1. OGAH ESQ Court and we do not support such withdrawal.

ALSO READ: UPDATE: NNPP withdraws petition against re-election of Governor Abiodun

“According to the provisions of the Constitution of the New Nigeria People’s Party 2022, particularly Section 27.18 (iii), (v) and (vi), only the National Legal Adviser of the Party may engage the services of an external lawyer, when desired, with the approval of the National Working Committee (NWC).

“Section 27.18 (v) is reproduced for your ease of reference: “The National Legal Counsel shall: (iii) handle litigation and legal defenses on behalf of the party at all levels, including its organs, officials and assets (iv) Coordinate. Legal Advisors’ activities at all levels on legal matters affecting the party including, but not limited to, the terms of engagement of outside attorneys.

“(v) To be responsible for the hiring of external adherents, when desired, and to be a lawyer to manage all cases involving the party at all levels, with the approval of the National Labor Committee.”

“A copy of the said Constitution is attached for the convenience of your inquiry.

“The purported notice of withdrawal of said application is not part of it
it violates the terms of the outside counsel’s engagement and therefore violates the principles of our Constitution that we hold dear as a party.

“We humbly request the Honorable Court to set aside the said withdrawal notice as the petitioner NNPP wishes to be prosecuted to its logical conclusion before your noble Lordships.

“Therefore, we appeal to our great party members and the general public not to allow any individual or group to undermine the trust they have re-placed in the party.”

The court had earlier accepted the NNPP’s request to inspect, photocopy, scan and record all sensitive materials used in the election.