The Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has struck out the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the June 20 election, Dr. Wole Oluyede, challenging the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This followed the petition’s formal withdrawal by Oluyede through a motion moved by his counsel, Mr. Paul Komolafe, who also represented the PDP.
Subsequently, the three-member Tribunal, led by Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, with Justice Aminu Tukur and Justice Maurice Okediya as members, struck out the petition at its first sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.
The decision followed a motion of withdrawal filed by Oluyede and moved by his counsel, Mr. Paul Komolafe, who also represented the PDP.
—No Opposition from Respondents—
Counsel to Governor Oyebanji and the APC, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, and Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Sulaiman Ibrahim, did not oppose the motion to withdraw the petition.
Justice Kutigi subsequently struck out the petition in line with the wish of the petitioners.
—Why I Withdrew — Oluyede—
Speaking with reporters after the ruling, Oluyede said his decision was based on appeals from “important people” and out of respect for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also disclosed that Governor Oyebanji had extended a hand of fellowship to him after the election.
“My decision to withdraw the petition was based on the fact that what Ekiti and Nigeria need now is to seek the way forward. It’s not easy to withdraw your petition when you know you have a case, but I took the action at the request of people who are important to me — the President and several advisers.
“They have all asked me to withdraw the matter and advised that everybody should come together and let the President win the next election and bring Ekiti forward. We have a lot of things to do in Ekiti and it will take the efforts of everybody. It shouldn’t be a partisan thing.
“I am a member of PDP and I still remain a member of PDP. We have an election in January for President Tinubu. The Governor too has extended a hand of friendship to me and we will work together when the election comes and see how things go. It’s just for the betterment of Ekiti and Nigeria.”
—June 20 Poll Results—
INEC had declared Oyebanji winner of the Ekiti governorship poll with 319,224 votes.
Oluyede polled 40,543 votes*, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Chief Dare Bejide, came third with 12,872 votes.
—Tribunal Adjourned for SDP, AA Petitions—
Meanwhile, the Tribunal has adjourned to Thursday, September 10, 2026 for ruling on the pre-hearing report, and to Monday, September 14, 2026 for hearing of the substantive petitions filed by:
1. Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Mr. Isaac Adebayo Alade — 179 votes
2. Action Alliance (AA) and its candidate, Mr. Matthew Olu Omotoso — 126 votes
Both petitions are challenging the return of Oyebanji as winner of the governorship election by INEC. They are represented by Dr. Nnamdi Ikpeazu.
Justice Kutigi advised the petitioners’ counsel to ensure respondents are served in good time and to present witnesses in court on Monday for commencement of hearing.
