The three-member panel of the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has expressed displeasure over the attitude of the Action Alliance (AA) in the prosecution of its petition challenging the June 20, 2026 governorship election.
Chairman of the panel, Justice Abubakar Kutigi, expressed the tribunal’s reservation on Friday, following the failure of the AA to produce its witnesses for the third consecutive sitting, contrary to its earlier commitment to the court.
At Friday’s sitting, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presented six witnesses who testified on the conduct of the election in their respective units and wards where they served as party and collation agents. The witnesses were led in evidence by the party’s counsel, Ebenezer Akinbuli, and cross-examined by counsel to INEC, Tunde Salako, and counsel to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Adetunji Oso, SAN.
Both the Action Alliance (AA) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which polled 126 votes and 179 votes respectively in the governorship election, are challenging the declaration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). INEC is listed as 1st Respondent while Governor Oyebanji is 2nd Respondent.
After the SDP witnesses concluded their testimonies and the matter was adjourned to Monday, September 28, the Tribunal Chairman called on Akinbuli, who also represents the AA, to proceed with the AA’s petition by presenting its witnesses.
However, Akinbuli sought a further adjournment, stating that he was still looking for witnesses, a request that did not go down well with the panel.
Reacting, Justice Kutigi said, “If you are not interested in this case, you these people (AA) should just close your case. If at this stage you have not made up your mind on what you want to do, we can’t just keep adjourning every time and you know that this is an election petition.
“We find this strange and we are not here to play. How does it sound for you to stand before us saying you will be looking for witnesses, after how many months? When was this case filed? Why not pursue this case? You are the counsel, try and take charge of this matter.”
Akinbuli apologised to the Tribunal and pleaded for a last chance to produce the AA witnesses on Monday, promising to “do the needful” on the next adjourned date.
Counsel to INEC, Salako, and counsel to Governor Oyebanji, Oso, SAN, did not oppose the application for adjournment.
Consequently, Justice Kutigi adjourned the hearing of the petition till Monday, September 28, 2026 for continuation.
