Ekiti Tribunal adjourns sitting for one week, to resume October 15

The Election Petition Tribunal managing the governorship dispute in Ekiti State has postponed its session for one week to give petitioners additional time to bring forth more witnesses. During the Wednesday hearing, attorney Dr Chukwudebelu Nnamdi filed an oral application for the respite, aiming to bring in further witnesses and address pressing legal matters that could expedite the trial.

Tribunal chair Justice Idris Abubakar Kutigi approved the request, setting a new hearing date for October 15, 2026. Kutigi emphasized the tribunal's urgency, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prepare for the upcoming proceedings. Dr Nnamdi explained his predicament stemmed from internal issues within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) concerning witness presentation.

He requested the adjournment so he could resolve these matters. Counsel to Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the INEC, Adetunji Oso and Tunde Salako, respectively, did not oppose the application, as they believed the one-week break was within the six-week timeframe allotted for witness presentations. Oso advised petitioners to make efficient use of the time, noting the adjournment still falls within the six-week window for presenting witnesses.

Before the ruling, an SDP witness, Lawrence Ogunbanwo, testified in court, stating he voted on election day at polling unit 10, Agbado/Oyo Ward in Ikere Ekiti without coercion or interference and was duly accredited by INEC officials.