PDP Withdraws Case Against Abatemi-Usman

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has withdrawn the appeal brought against Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman at the Supreme Court in respect of the pre-election case of the party in Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The withdrawal, according to a statement issued by Michael Jegede, Special Assistant on Media to Abatemi-Usman, was contained in a letter directed to the Supreme Court, signed by Chief Olusola Oke, National Legal Adviser of the ruling party and dated 22 February, 2012.

The PDP, had besides the appeal brought before the Supreme Court by Salawu Ogembe, opponent of the Senator, asked the apex court to declare that it has the power to cancel the primary poll that produced Abatemi-Usman as the party’s candidate for Kogi Central in the April 2011 general election.

The Supreme Court had on 16 December 2011, in the case between Abatemi-Usman and Ogembe ruled that the Senator, who is the Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, was the authentic candidate of the party in the zone.

After hearings had been taken on the separate case between PDP as a party and Abatemi-Usman, the highest court in the land fixed 30 March 2012 for final judgement.

In his reaction to the notice of withdrwal of appeal by the PDP, the Senator described it as a welcome development, while promising to remain a loyal member of the party, in spite of the pain he was made to go through in the process.

He added that he will continue to do his best to ensure adequate and robust representation of his people in the discharge of his duty as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.