PDP withdraws appeal challenging Sen Akpan’s sack

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has applied to the Court of Appeal in Calabar for the dismissal of its appeal against a judgment of the Federal High Court, Uyo on the Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District’s representation in the Senate.

The Uyo High Court had in its judgment removed Senator Albert Akpan as the representative of the district in the Senate and declared that Hon Bassey Etim be sworn in his place.

The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to retrieve the certificate of return earlier issued to Akpan and issue a fresh one to Etim.

The party in the notice of discontinuance of the appeal said the judgment was not against its interest, hence, unnecessary and ought not to have been filed in the first instance.

The appellate court was told to “take notice that the appellant (PDP) hereby withdraws all the processes including the Notice of Appeal and the brief of argument filed by the erstwhile counsel for the party.”

Reacting to the move, a United Nations human rights and election monitoring group operating as People’s Right to Life Development Foundation (PELDEF) commended the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP Caretaker Committee over the withdrawal of the appeal, saying the decision amounted to promotion of internal democracy and respect for court judgment.