By Anayo Okoli

Umuahi—The All Progressives grand Alliance, APGA, has withdrawn the petition it filed at the Abia State Governorship Election Tribunal challenging the election of Governor Theodore Orji.

APGA announced the withdrawal through its lawyer, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu, who infor-med the tribunal of the party’s intention to withdraw the petition because the petitioner was “no longer interested in pursuing the matter”.

The application to withdraw the petition was backed by a six-paragraph affidavit deposed to by the state chairman of APGA, Prince A. Ukaegbu, and an extract of the resolution of the party to withdraw the petition by the party chairman.

Meanwhile, the three-man panel, which has Justice Mobolaji Ojo as chairman, also granted leave to PPA governorship candidate in the election, Comrade Chris Akomas, and Barrister Emenike Owanta of the Democratic Front for the Peoples Federation, DFPF, to serve their petitions on Governor Theodore Orji through substituted means.

The tribunal ordered that the service be done through a senior officer at Government House, Umuahia.

Their respective motions were moved by Fidel Albert, counsel to Owanta and Uwemedimo Nwoko, Counsel to Akomas.