A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki has struck out a suit seeking third terms for President Muhammadu Buhari and governors in the country.
This came after a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Charles Enya, who filed the suit asked to withdraw it on Wednesday.
Enya had filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Abakiliki seeking a constitutional amendment to allow Buhari and state governors to stay beyond the allowed two terms in office.
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In his suit, Enya claimed that sections 137(1) (b) and 182 (1) (b) for which he sought amendments were infringing on the fundamental human rights of the president and the governors “who might wish to seek for a third term in office”.
The APC chieftain, however, hinged his decision to withdraw the suit with file number FHC/AI/CS/90/19 on the need to consult widely.
When the suit came up for hearing on Wednesday, Enya’s counsel, Iheanachor Agboti, told the court he was withdrawing the suit on the instructions of his client.
“I have the instruction of my client to withdraw the suit so as to allow further consultation,” he told the court.
Justice Akintayo Aluko, who presided over the court session, consequently granted the application and struck out the suit.
“Upon the application of the learned counsel for the applicant for the withdrawal of this suit, I say may the case be struck out,” Aluko ruled.
The suit had drawn criticisms both within and outside the ruling APC.
The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a press statement threatened legal action against Enya, as well as “serious disciplinary action if truly he was a member of the party”.
THE WHISTLER reported how President Buhari had dismissed speculations that he may be plotting to remain in office beyond two terms.
Buhari spoke at the recently held National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the APC.
“I’m not going to make the mistake of attempting a third term. Besides the age, the constitution makes provision for only two terms,” he had said.