Oyo SDP crisis deepens as Oladele challenges Okunlade’s candidacy in court

By Adejayan Gbenga

The crisis rocking the Oyo State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has intensified following a legal action instituted by Chief Saheed Oladele over the party’s governorship ticket for the 2027 general election.

Oladele, who claims to be the party’s authentic governorship candidate, has sued the SDP leadership and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the submission of Mr. Michael Okunlade’s name as the party’s consensus candidate.

The suit, filed by Akinlolu Oyebamiji of AOC Chambers, challenges the validity of Okunlade’s nomination and alleges that the process failed to comply with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

Oyebamiji alleged that Okunlade, who is the current chairman of the SDP in Oyo State, did not obtain the required expression-of-interest and nomination forms before the deadline prescribed by INEC.

The lawyer also argued that Oladele did not withdraw from the race or give consent for another person to be presented as the party’s candidate, raising questions over the validity of the nomination process.

Oladele further alleged that subsequent efforts by the state party executives to introduce other contenders, including an unveiling on August 17, amounted to an unlawful attempt to transfer the governorship ticket to third parties.

He is asking the court to declare Okunlade’s nomination null and void and restrain him from presenting himself as the SDP’s governorship candidate. He also wants INEC and the party’s national leadership barred from recognising Okunlade.

Oladele is further seeking an order directing the SDP and INEC to recognise him as the party’s sole governorship candidate and upload his name on the commission’s candidate portal. The court is expected to schedule a date for hearing the plaintiff’s preliminary applications.