Ekiti poll: SDP candidate drops petition, party rejects withdrawal

The Social Democratic Party candidate in the June 20, 2026, Ekiti State governorship election, Isaac Alade, has withdrawn his petition challenging the victory of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, despite the party’s opposition to the move.

Alade’s counsel, Umar Abdulhamid, informed the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Monday that the petitioner had filed a Motion on Notice dated September 12, 2026, seeking to discontinue the petition.

However, counsel for the SDP, Adewole Adebayo, said he was unaware of Alade’s decision, describing the move as an ambush, although he said the party would not oppose the application.

He maintained that the withdrawal would not stop the party from pursuing the case.

The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Idris Kutigi, subsequently granted the application and struck Alade’s name from the petition.

Kutigi said, “The tribunal grants the application, having considered the Motion on Notice of the second petitioner (SDP candidate) in respect of his intention to withdraw from the petition.

His name is hereby struck out of the petition.”

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Commenting on the withdrawal, Adebayo, who is also the SDP presidential candidate, said the party was not bothered by Alade’s decision.

He said, “We will have no reason to stop him. If he withdraws and decides to go home, he is free. It does not stop us (SDP) from continuing with the case.”

Counsel for Oyebanji, Adetunji Oso, said he would not oppose the application, stating that the candidate had exercised his legal right in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

Oso also faulted claims in some quarters that petitioners were withdrawing their petitions through coercion or intimidation.

He said, “The governor, as the chief security officer of the state, won’t undermine or take any action that can hinder the free operation of the tribunal to dispense justice in the matter expeditiously.”

At the inaugural sitting of the tribunal last Monday, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate and runner-up in the election, Oluwole Oluyede, also withdrew his petition.

The tribunal subsequently struck out his name from the petition.