Sylva withdraws suit against Murray-Bruce

Former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has withdrawn his suit challenging the victory of Senator Ben Murray-Bruce in the April National Assembly election, the state’s Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Yenagoa, has said.


The withdrawal request, it was learnt, was made through counsel for Sylva, Mr. Sydney Ibanichuka.
Ibanichuka, however, refused to give details, insisting that it was done based on personal sacrifice and need for peace in the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.

He said, “The reason for the withdrawal of the petitions was for the interest of peace. Well, 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.

“I want to see the withdrawal as a personal sacrifice from their hearts.The petitioner had secured the Tribunal’s order to inspect the election materials. Also, he secured an order for fonresic experts to examine the materials.They had a good case that borders on irregularities in the election. The decision is a sacrifice.”

At the hearing on Wednesday in Yenagoa, the presiding Chairperson of the tribunal, Justice Ononeze Madu, while hearing submissions on the Sylva’s petition in suit No.EPT/BY/SEN/003/2015, said the tribunal was committed in ensuring justice for the betterment of the citizens and had accepted the decision of the petitioners.

Also, Justice Duro Adeyele, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the withdrawal was for the best interest of the people.

Adeyele, counsel for Murray-Bruce commended the Sylva, saying, “We have gone through pre-hearing and today being July 1, the petition has been withdrawn.”

Sylva, candidate for the All Progressives Congress for the district, had approached the tribunal to ask the court to declare the candidate for the PDP, Senator Murray-Bruce not qualified to contest the April 8 election due to his dual citizenship and the refusal to relinquish such before the election.

He also prayed that he be declared winner of the election due to the alleged irregularities and manipulations carried out by the PDP and their agents during the elections in Brass and other parts of the district.