There was a mild drama, yesterday, at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the June 20 gubernatorial election, Isaac Adedayo Alade, withdrew his case challenging the victory of Governor Biodun Oyebanji against the party’s wish.

Another drama also played out at the tribunal during the cross-examination, as an SDP agent and witness, Toluwalope Oluwandabira, couldn’t identify the name of the party’s flagbearer in the election, which was the principal reason for which he was brought to the tribunal to give evidence in respect of the polls.

In his ruling, JusticeIdris Kutigi said: “The tribunal grants the application, having considered the motion on notice of the second petitioner in respect to his intention to withdraw from the petition. His name is hereby struck out of the petition.”

During the tribunal proceeding yesterday, counsel to SDP’s candidate and second petitioner, Umar Abdulhamid, disclosed that he had filed a motion on notice dated September 12, 2026, before the tribunal, notifying it of the second petitioner’s intention to discontinue with the petition.

However, counsel to the SDP and first petitioner, Adewole Adebayo, said the withdrawal was like an ambush, having not been aware of the candidate’s intention to step aside from the case, maintaining that he won’t oppose the application since his backtracking would not in any way impede the party from pursuing the case.

In his ruling, Abubakar Idris Kutigi said: “The tribunal grants the application, having considered the motion on notice of the second petitioner in respect to his intention to withdraw from the petition. His name is hereby struck out of the petition.”