The Election Petition Tribunal in Ibadan, Oyo State, has dismissed petition by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), challenging Governor Seyi Makinde’s declaration as winner of the March 18 governorship election.

The tribunal also awarded N1 million cost against the petitioner, to be paid to the 2nd and 3rd respondents.

Chairman of the tribunal Justice Ejiro Emudainohwo gave the ruling yesterday. All three members of the tribunal agreed, saying the awarded cost will deter other politicians from filing frivolous petitions.

APM, on Tuesday, applied to withdraw its petition after the tribunal fixed Thursday for to hear the matter.

During sitting yesterday, APM’s lawyer, Henry Bello, told the court that the party lost interest in the matter on four grounds. According to him, the petitioner discovered that its candidate, Adeniran Oluseye, who should be the beneficiary of the petition, had earlier congratulated the 2nd and 3rd respondents on the election outcome. He urged the tribunal to strike out the petition to avoid time wasting.

Justice Emudainohwo faulted the petitioner’s decision to withdraw the case about 46 days after its candidate had congratulated the second and third respondents. She said it was even surprising to hear that the petitioner is not aware of the development while relying on affidavit deposed before the tribunal, by both the candidate and party chairman.

THE NATION