How Gbajabiamila, Edu, others prevailed on Essien Ayi to withdraw case from Tribunal
How Gbajabiamila, Edu, others prevailed on Essien Ayi to withdraw case from Tribunal
By Dominic OKOH
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resh facts have emerged over how the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Woman Leader, Dr. Beta Edu and other top party members prevailed on Rt. Hon. Essien Ayi to withdraw his case at the National Assembly Elections Tribunal sitting in Calabar.
Ayi, a fifth-term member of House of Representatives and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Saturday, February 25 National Assembly Election, was defeated by Rt. Hon Joseph Bassey of APC.
The Beagle News gathered that a few days after Rt. Hon Joseph Bassey of APC was declared winner for the Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South federal constituency, some concerned constituents set up a team to prevail on Ayi not to approach the Tribunal seeking for redress.
Ayi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, turned down all entreaties, went ahead and filed a case at the National Assembly Elections Tribunal seeking for the nullification of the results declaring the APC candidate winner of the Saturday, February 25 House of Representative seat.
But the APC members refused to bulge and continued pleading with him to see reasons why he should not continue the case against his mentee and brother at the Tribunal.
Not wanting to take chances, the APC chieftains and Ayi's kinsmen approached Gbajabiamila, knowing Ayi's relations with the former Speaker of the House of Reps, and Dr. Edu to intervene to allow Bassey concentrate on how to bring dividends of democracy to the people.
A dependable source hinted that the President's Chief of staff, who has worked closely with Ayi at NASS, didn't hesitate as he quickly moved in and spoke with his ally and former colleague, Ayi, pleading with him to drop the case.
Besides, the source further hinted that Dr. Beta also explored her contacts at national level to prevail on Ayi to drop the case against Bassey, adding that the withdrawal might not have pulled through without a cost.
It was on the light of the above, The Beagle News gathered, that Ayi finally capitulated and was said to have withdrawn the matter a few days ago.
An APC chieftain, who simply identified himself as Effiom Effio, from Bakassi, said: “We are happy that Rt. Hon. Essien Ayi has finally withdrawn the matter from Tribunal.
"He has demonstrated brotherhood and sportsmanship. We commend him for that bold step to support his brother to succeed him and that is how politics should be played."
