Former Governor of Bayelsa State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Timipre Sylva Wednesday in Yenagoa, withdrew his suit challenging the election of Ben Murray-Bruce of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as Senator for the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
Justice Ononeze Madu, Chairman of the Bayelsa State National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, made the announcement on Wednesday.
Counsel to Chief Sylva, Sydney Ibanichuka said the withdrawal of the petition, number EPT/BY/SEN/003/2015, was for the interest of peace.
“The reason for the withdrawal is best known to the petitioners, but they have agreed to withdraw for the interest of peace in Bayelsa and Nigeria at large,” he said.
Speaking, counsel to Senator Bruce, Duro Adeyele, SAN, commended Sylva for his decision.
“We have gone through pre-hearing and today being July 1, the petition has been withdrawn,” Adeyele said.
Sylva, a candidate of the APC in the March 28 National Assembly Election, had approached the tribunal to declare Murray-Bruce unqualified to contest the National Assembly election.
He alleged that Bruce has dual citizenship.
Sylva also alleged that PDP and its agents carried out irregularities in Brass and other parts of the district.
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