In Nigeria, Governor Oyebanji formulated questions in election petitions
In Nigeria’s Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji formulated six questions for consideration by the Election Tribunal, which is hearing petitions over the June 20 gubernatorial election. The three-member panel chaired by Abubakar Kutigi is to continue proceedings on Monday in Ado-Ekiti.
Defence position
According to Premium Times Nigeria, the documents listing the questions were signed by the governor’s legal team, led by Onyechi Ikpeazu. They concern the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In particular, Oyebanji’s side raised the issue of whether the petition complies with the Electoral Act 2026 and other possible procedural shortcomings. The defence also noted that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was not joined in the case as a necessary party.
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Other questions concern whether the petitioners proved that Oyebanji’s election was invalid because of non-compliance with electoral law provisions or corrupt practices. In addition, the governor’s side asked whether the petitioners established that he did not receive a majority of lawful votes cast, and whether SDP candidate Adebayo Alade is entitled to be declared elected governor.
Election results and petitions
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission declared Oyebanji, the APC candidate, the winner of the election with 319,224 votes. Peoples Democratic Party candidate Oluwole Oluede came second with 40,543 votes, while Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress received 12,872 votes.
Oluede withdrew his petition challenging the governor’s re-election. At the same time, the SDP and Action Alliance (AA) kept their petitions before the tribunal. Alade received 179 votes, while AA candidate Olu Omotoso received 126. In the AA case, Oyebanji’s defence formulated five questions similar to the first five points in the SDP petition. The SDP is expected to begin calling witnesses to testify on Monday.
