By Oludotun Ajibola
The Federal High Court has fixed September 24, 2026, for hearing in a suit instituted by Oloye Saheed Oladele against the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the flagrant violation of the 2026 Electoral Act during its Oyo State governorship primary process.
The suit, filed on behalf of Oladele by Barrister Akinlolu Oyebamiji of AOC Chambers, and served to the respondents as appropriate, is challenging the submission of the name of Mr. Michael Okunlade to INEC as the SDP’s consensus candidate for the Oyo State governorship election.
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Oladele’s legal team is contending that Okunlade, who is currently the Oyo State Chairman of the SDP, allegedly failed to obtain the requisite Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms within the period stipulated by the electoral guidelines.
According to the legal team, Oladele was the only member of the party who paid for and obtained the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms within the prescribed period, a development they argue should be considered in determining the party’s valid governorship candidate.
The suit has consequently placed the process through which the SDP arrived at its purported consensus candidate under judicial scrutiny, with the court expected to determine the legality of the party’s action and the subsequent submission to INEC.
Meanwhile, supporters of Oladele have expressed joy in the prompt fixing of the commencement hearing of the suit, and optimism that the court will uphold what they described as strict compliance with the Electoral Act and applicable electoral guidelines.
The development follows recent activities within the Oyo State chapter of the SDP, including the emergence of Okunlade as a purported consensus candidate and the unveiling of Mogaji Segun Agboola to party members on August 17, 2026 as a new guber aspirant, which is another flagrant violation of the 2026 Electoral Act.
Oladele’s supporters, who said they remain confident in the judicial process, pledged to continue their political activities while awaiting the outcome of the case before the Federal High Court.
The September 24 hearing is therefore expected to provide an opportunity for the parties to present their respective positions before the court as the controversy over the SDP’s 2027 Oyo governorship ticket can be laid to rest.
