Sylva withdraws suit challenging Senator Ben Bruce

By Emem Idio, Yenagoa

YENAGOA-THE former Governor of Bayelsa state and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Timipre Sylva yesterday in Yenagoa, withdrew his suit challenging the election of Ben Murray-Bruce of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as Senator-elect for the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.

Justice Ononeze Madu, Chairman of the Bayelsa state National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, during its siting Wednesday, who formally announced the withdrawal of the suit with the petition number EPT/BY/SEN/003/2015, said the tribunal was committed to ensuring justice for the betterment of the citizenry.

Counsel to Chief Sylva, Sydney Ibanichuka said the withdrawal of the petition 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.

The counsel to Senator Bruce, Duro Adeyele, SAN, who commended Sylva for withdrawing the suit, added that it was for the best interest of the people.

“We have gone through pre-hearing and today being July 1, the petition has been withdrawn,” Adeyele said.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 asking the court to declare Murray-Bruce unqualified to contest the National Assembly election over alleged dual citizenship, and irregularities carried out by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and its agents during the election in Brass and other parts of the district.