Ekiti Tribunal Strikes Out SDP Candidate Alade from Petition Against Governor Oyebanji
The Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ado-Ekiti has struck out the name of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Isaac Adedayo Alade, from the party’s petition challenging Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s victory in the June 20 governorship election.
The development followed Alade’s decision to withdraw from the petition despite the position of his party, a move that caused mild drama during Monday’s proceedings.
Alade’s counsel, Umar Abdulhamid, informed the three-member tribunal that his client had filed a Motion on Notice dated September 12, 2026, notifying the panel of his intention to discontinue his participation in the petition.
The application reportedly took the SDP and its first petitioner, Adewole Adebayo, by surprise. Adebayo described the development as an “ambush”, saying he had not been informed in advance of Alade’s decision.
He, however, declined to oppose the application, arguing that Alade’s withdrawal would not prevent the SDP from continuing with the petition.
In his ruling, the tribunal chairman, Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, granted Alade’s application and ordered that his name be struck out of the petition.
Speaking after the ruling, Adebayo insisted that the SDP would continue to pursue the case.
“If he stands his ground and says he wants to withdraw or discontinue, then we will have no reason to stop him. If he withdraws and decides to go home, he is free. It doesn’t stop us from continuing with the case,” he said.
Counsel to Governor Oyebanji and the second respondent, Adetunji Oso, did not oppose the withdrawal application. He argued that Alade had exercised his legal right under the Electoral Act 2026.
Oso also dismissed suggestions that the withdrawal of petitions by opposition candidates was the result of coercion or intimidation. He maintained that the governor would not interfere with proceedings before the tribunal or undermine the administration of justice.
The development came about a week after the tribunal struck out the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr Oluwole Oluyede, following his withdrawal from the case.
Proceedings in the SDP petition also produced another dramatic moment when one of the party’s witnesses, Toluwalope Oluwandabira, reportedly struggled to identify the name of the SDP governorship candidate during cross-examination.
Another witness, Odabira Olumuyiwa, who testified about his role as an agent at Ward 2, Unit 007, in Ikole Local Government Area, admitted that he did not wear an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) identification tag while monitoring the election.
Bamisaye Julius, another witness who alleged widespread vote buying during the election, told the tribunal that although he saw people sharing money, he could not establish the amount allegedly distributed or identify those responsible.
Awoleye Sunday Samuel also testified that there were skirmishes between supporters of rival political parties at the polling unit where he served as an agent. He, however, acknowledged that the incidents did not prevent the election from being successfully conducted.
The SDP eventually called seven witnesses after the tribunal returned from a 30-minute recess granted to enable the party to assemble its witnesses.
In a separate petition filed by the Action Alliance, the party’s chairman and state collation agent, Elder Sunday Ajayi, admitted under cross-examination that he had not been issued a formal appointment letter to serve as the party’s collation agent.
Ajayi, however, maintained that he had received the party’s mandate to perform the role because he was its number-one member in the state.
Following the testimony of the seven witnesses, counsel to the petitioners requested a short adjournment. The application was not opposed by the respondents and was subsequently granted by the tribunal.
Oso, however, urged the panel to ensure that the petitioners did not unnecessarily delay proceedings, stressing that election petitions are sui generis and must be determined within the statutory period prescribed by law.
