SDP seeks stay of High Court judgement on leadership dispute
Social Democratic Party Appeals Court Ruling on Governorship Candidate Selection
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has submitted an appeal to the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking a stay on a Federal High Court ruling that recognized Salawu-Adeniyi Mustapha Olaitan as its candidate for the 2026 Osun governorship election. The appeal aims to halt the execution of the June 24, 2026, judgment until the appeal is fully adjudicated.
In a Motion on Notice filed with the appellate court, the SDP also seeks to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from taking further action to implement the Federal High Court’s ruling while the case is pending.
Court documents indicate that the matter is identified as CA/ABJ/CV/1011/2026, stemming from Justice Mohammed Garuba Umar’s judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026. The SDP is the applicant in this case, with Olaitan, INEC, and two expelled party officials, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, listed as respondents. Both Gabam and Chukwuma face criminal charges at the Wuse Magistrate Court.
The SDP’s application is based on Section 17 of the Court of Appeal Act, as well as Order 4 Rule 6(2) of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2021. The principal relief sought includes the suspension of the Federal High Court’s judgment pending a hearing on its appeal.
The SDP contends that immediate implementation of the ruling could undermine its appeal and alter the case’s subject matter before the appellate court can address the legal issues involved. The party argues that preserving the current state of affairs is essential to uphold justice during the appellate process.
Moreover, the SDP has urged the Court of Appeal to exercise its discretion to prevent the appeal from becoming moot should irreversible actions be taken in response to the Federal High Court’s decision.
This legal dispute continues amidst ongoing challenges regarding the SDP’s leadership and candidate nomination for the upcoming governorship election in Osun State. The Court of Appeal has not yet scheduled a date for hearing the motion or issued a ruling on the requests made by the SDP.
