Onyishi withdraws suit seeking cancellation of PDP Enugu guber primary

An aggrieved aspirant to the Enugu State governorship race under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Sam Onyishi who took the party to court over the processes leading to the party’s primary has withdrawn the matter.

Onyishi who withdrew the case he instituted at a Federal High Court Abuja on Thursday unconditionally in support of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s candidature ahead of April 11 polls, said he had to join the Ugwuanyi Movement to actualize the successful emergence of the PDP candidate in the poll.

Onyishi, the founder of Peace Mass Transit had prayed the court to out rightly cancel the outcome of the December 8, 2014 PDP governorship primary claiming in Enugu State, claiming that the primary was in violation of the electoral guidelines for the conduct of the exercise.

The matter which was brought before Justice Envo Chukwu sitting in Abuja had advanced to judgement stage but the plaintiff, Onyishi, consented to overwhelming pleas from religious and political leaders in the state asking for a withdrawal of the matter in the interest of peace.

A statement signed and made available to newsmen in Enugu yesterday by the Onyishi’s Campaign Coordinator, Mr. Chike Ngwu said, 'Having considered several visits and appeals from Enugu state PDP governorship candidate, Ugwuanyi, and the intervention of Senator Jim Nwobodo and some other religious leaders, we have decided to unconditionally, withdraw the court case instituted by Sam Onyishi against PDP and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The campaign organisation will continue to support Onyishi for his unique leadership qualities and service-oriented mind.

“The interest of the party is paramount and has prevailed.”

A source reliably informed TheCitizen that he was compelled to withdraw the suit when he came to the realization that it was going to be an effort in futility.

“I am sure that he was properly advised that his case had no substance and following the failure of a similar case to stop the PDP’s candidate, he quickly beat a retreat and joined the moving train.

“We are happy that he has retraced his steps and that is a typical of how a brother should behave to join hands with the incoming governor to make Enugu State a better place,” he said.

All efforts to get the reaction of the state chapter of the party before press time was in vain.