Suswam withdraws election petition against Gemade

Gabriel Suswam, the immediate-past governor of Benue state, has withdrawn his petition against the election of Barnabas Gemade as the winner of Benue northeast senatorial district.

Gemade, a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the seat against Suswam of the PDP.

The ex-governor had filed a petition before the national/state election petitions tribunal to challenge his defeat on the grounds of malpractices.

But when the case came up for pre-hearing on Tuesday, Andrew Wombo, counsel to Suswam, applied orally for the withdrawal of the petition.

Wombo informed the tribunal that the petitioner was no longer interested in pursuing the case.

“My lord, Suwam, who is obviously a man of peace, has asked me to withdraw the petition in the interest of peace and harmony of the state and his constituents,” he said.

Wombo also said his client would not want to distract the new administration with a court case which might affect smooth running of the government.

John Igbabon, counsel to Gemade, prayed the court to award N5million cost against Suswam.

He said the petitioner has wasted both the time of the tribunal and that of his client.

Mosumola Dipeolu, chairman of the tribunal, said the respondent’s demand for compensation was baseless.

“The petitioner has done well and I urge parties in other cases to toe the path of peace like we have seen with this case.

“In the light of this, the application sails through and it is hereby withdrawn without cost.”