From Ayo Idowu, Akure
In a surprising turn of events, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Ondo South Senatorial District, has withdrawn the lawsuit he filed challenging Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy for the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State. Ibrahim’s decision came after significant intervention from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a personal plea from Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Governor Aiyedatiwa emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate after defeating Ibrahim and 14 other aspirants in the April 20 APC governorship primary. Despite requests from party leadership to accept the result, Ibrahim alleged manipulation and filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to nullify Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy and demand a fresh primary election.
The Federal High Court, under Chief Judge Justice John Tsoho, had ordered the transfer of the case from Abuja to the Akure division. However, on Tuesday, Ibrahim announced the withdrawal of the suit, citing a statement titled “Presidential intervention and notice of withdrawal Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/588/2024.”
Ibrahim explained, “The suit is now withdrawn due to the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. The President called me, had a meeting with me, and assured me that he will, as the leader of the party, improve internal democracy within our party, and I will need to withdraw the case to enable him to chart a way forward.”
He continued, “The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, earlier visited my Asokoro residence for several hours after another unsuccessful visit to my hotel room in Akure. I cannot disobey the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because the issue I am fighting for is not personal. It is simply to improve internal democracy to which the President has promised improvement. My respect for the President is absolute!”
Ibrahim framed his decision as a tribute to President Tinubu’s first anniversary in office, stating, “The withdrawal of this legendary suit is concise with the first anniversary of Mr President’s incredible performance in office, and this is my gift of the ‘cake’ of the first anniversary! Thank you all for your support.”
The withdrawal has been met with positive reactions. Mr Maridoti Oludare, Director of Contact and Engagement for the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation, called the decision a good development for the party. Oludare said, “We recognise the wisdom he has shown in taking the off-ramp given to him by the governor, party leaders, and ultimately the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We look forward to continuing our work to build a stronger, more inclusive, and forward-thinking Ondo State under the capable leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.”
Similarly, the spokesman for the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers, Mr Kayode Fasua, commended Ibrahim’s decision, stating, “Senator Jimoh Ibrahim has just proved that he has good regards for the instrument of dialogue to resolve resolvable disputes as against burdening the judiciary. Together, we move to work for the people of Ondo State and seek the voters’ mandate of a four-year service, come November 16, this year.”
This resolution marks a significant step towards unity within the APC in Ondo State, highlighting the power of dialogue and leadership intervention in resolving internal conflicts.
