The Election Petition Tribunal in Ondo State has received a motion for discontinuance of two out of the nine petitions in respect of the February 25 National Assembly election in the state.

The tribunal had received nine petitions in respect of the National Assembly elections. While seven of the petitions were in respect of the House of Representatives election, two were filed challenging the outcome of the Senate election in the state.

The tribunal secretary, Musa Adam, told journalists in Akure on Wednesday that the withdrawn petitions were each in respect of the Senate and House of Representatives elections.

Mr Adam explained that Olusegun Phillips-Alonge, the senatorial candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Ondo North Senatorial District, withdrew his petition challenging the declaration of Jide Ipinsigba, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner.

He said that Ademuyiwa Ademola, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in Akoko North-East/Akoko North-West Federal Constituency, also withdrew his petition against Oluwabunmi Tunji-Ojo, the candidate of APC, who INEC declared the winner.

According to Mr Adam, the tribunal has not received any petition against the outcome of the House of Assembly election in the state.

He said by the provisions of the Electoral Act, any dissatisfied candidate had a period of 21 days after the election to file a petition to challenge the outcome.

Mr Adam further explained that once a petition had been filed, the law provides for 180 days or six months for it to be concluded and determined. 

(NAN)