Fresh Twist In Ekiti Election Tribunal As SDP Candidate Dumps Case Against Oyebanji

The Social Democratic Party governorship candidate in the June 20, 2026, Ekiti State election, Isaac Alade, has withdrawn his petition challenging the victory of Governor Biodun Oyebanji at the election tribunal.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Alade’s decision was announced during Monday’s sitting of the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, where his counsel, Umar Abdulhamid, informed the three-member panel that his client had filed a Motion on Notice dated September 12 seeking to discontinue the petition.

The development reportedly came despite opposition from the SDP, which said it was not aware of the candidate’s intention to withdraw from the legal battle. Counsel to the party, Adewole Adebayo, described the development as an “ambush” but said the party would not oppose Alade’s application.

Adebayo maintained that Alade’s decision to withdraw personally would not prevent the SDP from pursuing the petition. He said the candidate was free to discontinue his participation in the case, but the party remained committed to continuing the legal challenge against the election outcome.

The tribunal, chaired by Justice Idris Kutigi, subsequently granted Alade’s application and ordered that his name be struck out of the petition.

In his ruling, Justice Kutigi said the panel had considered the Motion on Notice filed by the SDP candidate and accepted his decision to withdraw from the case.

Counsel to Governor Oyebanji, Adetunji Oso, said the governor had no objection to the withdrawal, arguing that Alade was exercising a right provided under the Electoral Act 2026. He also dismissed claims that candidates who had discontinued their petitions were being pressured or intimidated.

Oso maintained that Governor Oyebanji, as the state’s chief security officer, would not interfere with the tribunal’s proceedings or take any action capable of obstructing the judicial process.

Alade’s withdrawal comes shortly after the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate and runner-up in the election, Oluwole Oluyede, also withdrew his petition challenging the election result. Oluyede’s name was subsequently struck out by the tribunal during its inaugural sitting.

Despite Alade’s withdrawal, the SDP has indicated that it intends to continue its legal challenge, setting the stage for further proceedings over the disputed Ekiti governorship election.