The All Progressives Congress (APC) legal team in Osun State has publicly disowned a petition that appeared before the state's election tribunal in the party's name, following the August 15 governorship poll that returned Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party. Adekunle Adegoke (SAN), speaking on behalf of the legal team in a telephone interview on Monday, was categorical that neither the APC nor its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, authorised or filed any petition before the tribunal.
Why APC Chose Not to Challenge the Result
Adegoke explained that the legal team held a meeting with Oyebamiji and other senior party figures shortly after the election results were announced to assess their options. He said the group ultimately agreed not to proceed to the tribunal, citing the importance of reducing political tension and allowing calm to return to the state.
Despite that position, notices of two separate petitions appeared on the notice board of the election tribunal, which sits at the State High Court premises in Osogbo, on Monday. The first petition, filed under suit number EPT/Os/Gov/01/2026, lists Oyebamiji and the APC as petitioners. The respondents named in that suit are Adeleke, the Accord Party, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Second Petition Filed by PDP
The second petition, suit number EPT/Os/Gov/02/2026, was filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The INEC, the Accord Party, and Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke are listed as respondents. Both notices were signed by the tribunal secretary, Belemo Diete-Spiff.
The PDP's involvement adds another layer of complexity, as the party did not field a candidate in the August 15 election. Fifteen political parties participated in the poll overall, but the PDP was not among those that presented a governorship candidate.
Unanswered Questions Over APC Petition
The appearance of the APC's name on the tribunal notice board, despite the legal team's denial, raises unanswered questions about who authorised the filing and on what basis. The legal team's position stands in contrast to the public record at the tribunal, leaving observers to wonder about the source of the petition.
As the tribunal prepares to hear the cases, the coming weeks will determine whether the APC petition proceeds or is withdrawn, and how the PDP's petition—filed despite not fielding a candidate—will be treated by the court. The situation underscores the ongoing political tensions in Osun State following the closely watched election.
