The legal team representing the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has boycotted the ongoing Ekiti 2026 election petition tribunal following the Court of Appeal’s decision to reject an application for the relocation of the hearing venue.
Mr. Akinbuli, the lead counsel for the SDP, was absent from the scheduled tribunal sitting on Wednesday. In his absence, the legal team submitted a formal letter to the tribunal seeking an immediate adjournment of the proceedings.
The SDP’s decision to skip the sitting has created a procedural impasse, potentially delaying the resolution of the 2026 Ekiti gubernatorial election disputes. The party is currently awaiting the final address of the Court of Appeal regarding the relocation application before participating in the tribunal.
Legal impasse over tribunal location
The tension surrounding the Ekiti 2026 election petition intensified after the SDP filed a request to move the tribunal to a different location. The legal team’s decision follows the Court of Appeal’s refusal to relocate the venue of the election petition hearing.
In Nigerian election jurisprudence, applications to relocate a tribunal are typically predicated on concerns regarding the impartiality of the current jurisdiction or potential security risks to the parties involved. By refusing the request, the appellate court has maintained the current venue, a move the SDP is currently contesting through its adjournment request.
Under the Electoral Act, election tribunals are mandated to conclude their proceedings within specific timelines to ensure political stability and a clear transition of power. This boycott threatens that timeline, as the tribunal must now determine whether to proceed in the absence of the SDP’s legal representatives or grant the requested pause.
If the tribunal decides to move forward without the SDP counsel, the party may seek further legal recourse to challenge the validity of any subsequent rulings. The immediate next step rests on the tribunal’s decision regarding the adjournment letter sent by Mr. Akinbuli.
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