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Ibadan North Federal Constituency By-Election: Tribunal Postpones Verdict Amidst Legal Challenges
On December 23, 2025, the Election Petition Tribunal in Ibadan adjourned its ruling on the case numbered EPT/OY/HR/01/2025. This petition was initiated by the Social Democratic Party (SDP), contesting the declared victory of Honorable Fola Oyekunle of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the August 16, 2025, by-election for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat. The adjournment followed the conclusion of the parties’ presentations and the submission of their final written arguments.
Grounds for the Petition: Alleged Electoral Irregularities
The SDP contends that the election process and the subsequent declaration of Hon. Folajimi as the winning candidate were marred by violations of the Electoral Act 2022. They argue that these breaches compromised the election’s integrity and have therefore requested the tribunal to annul the by-election results. Furthermore, the SDP seeks an order for a fresh or supplementary election specifically in the polling units identified as problematic within the federal constituency.
PDP’s Legal Response: Questioning the Petition’s Validity
In response, the PDP’s lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Tunji Ogunrinde, filed a preliminary objection challenging the petition’s admissibility. He argued that the SDP failed to adhere to the procedural requirements stipulated in the Electoral Act 2022, rendering the petition incompetent. Ogunrinde urged the tribunal to dismiss the case outright, labeling the petition as baseless, vexatious, and lacking substantive merit.
Context and Implications
This legal dispute highlights ongoing tensions in Nigeria’s electoral landscape, where petitions challenging election outcomes have become increasingly common. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over 30% of elections in 2024 faced post-election litigations, underscoring the critical role tribunals play in upholding democratic processes. The tribunal’s forthcoming decision will not only determine the representation of Ibadan North but may also set precedents for handling electoral disputes in the region.
