Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Tunji Ogunrinde, is spearheading a 14-member legal team tasked with defending the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle, at the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ibadan. The case concerns the outcome of the August 16, 2025, House of Representatives bye-election for the Ibadan North federal constituency.
The tribunal, mandated to hear election disputes, received a petition from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), challenging Oyekunle’s victory on grounds including alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022. The SDP seeks a cancellation of the election and a fresh or supplementary poll in affected polling units.
In response, Ogunrinde SAN filed a notice of preliminary objection, questioning the competence of the petition on the basis that it allegedly fails to comply with requirements under the Electoral Act. He further moved to have the suit dismissed, labeling it frivolous, baseless, and vexatious, and prayed the court to award substantial costs against the petitioner.
During the resumed hearing on October 15, 2025, both parties were called to cooperate. The tribunal adjourned proceedings to October 16 for further hearing. By then, the legal teams were expected to present arguments on whether the petition meets threshold legal requirements.
As the tribunal process continues, observers are closely watching whether the legal strategies adopted—in particular the preliminary objections—will shape the ultimate outcome and uphold or challenge Oyekunle’s mandate. The affair is seen as a test of legal acumen, procedural competence, and party resilience in Oyo’s electoral politics.
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