The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja seeking to overturn a Federal High Court judgment that recognised Olaitan Salawu-Adeniyi as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State governorship election. The party is also asking the appellate court to suspend the implementation of the judgment pending the determination of its appeal.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP disclosed that it had filed an appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1011/2026. The party further requested an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from acting on the June 24, 2026 judgment until the appeal is resolved.
The dispute stems from a Federal High Court ruling that directed INEC to implement an earlier Court of Appeal decision recognising Shehu Musa Gabam as the SDP’s National Chairman. However, the party argued that the Supreme Court had already set aside that appellate judgment on May 22, 2026, making the High Court’s decision inconsistent with the apex court’s ruling.
According to the SDP, the appeal raises substantial legal issues concerning the authority of a lower court to rely on a judgment that has already been nullified by the Supreme Court. The party maintained that allowing the High Court’s decision to stand before the appeal is heard could create confusion over its leadership and the nomination of its candidate for the Osun governorship election.
The Court of Appeal is expected to determine whether to grant the requested stay of execution while considering the substantive appeal. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the SDP’s participation in the 2026 Osun governorship election and for INEC’s recognition of the party’s leadership and candidate.
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