SDP Appeals Judgment Recognising Osun Governorship Candidate

The Social Democratic Party has gone to the Court of Appeal in Abuja over a Federal High Court judgment recognising Olaitan Salawu-Adeniyi as its governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun election.

The party is asking the appellate court to stay the execution of the June 24 judgment delivered by Justice M.G. Umar until its appeal is decided.

Punch and Vanguard reported that the SDP also wants the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission from acting on the judgment while the appeal is pending.

In a statement on Wednesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, said the appeal challenges the basis of the judgment and its effect on the party’s candidate nomination process.

Vanguard reported that the SDP argued the lower court decision purportedly overruled an existing Supreme Court position on the party’s leadership. The party said it had filed court papers seeking urgent intervention before INEC takes further steps.

The dispute adds another legal layer to the Osun governorship race, with candidate recognition now tied to how quickly the appellate court handles the party’s request for a stay.

Sources: Punch, Vanguard