The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has submitted six pivotal issues for consideration by the Election Petition Tribunal, which is currently reviewing petitions related to the June 20, 2026 governorship election. His legal team, led by Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, filed these issues as part of the governor's defense against claims made by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Action Alliance (AA).

In the recent election, Oyebanji, representing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after securing 319,224 votes. His closest rival, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 40,543 votes, while Chief Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) managed 12,872 votes. Notably, Oluyede has since withdrawn his petition from the tribunal.

The tribunal, presided over by Justice Abubakar Kutigi, is set to hear the SDP's case, which is expected to commence with witness testimonies on Monday. Oyebanji's six issues for determination focus on the legitimacy of the SDP's petition, questioning its compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and other legal requirements. The specific issues raised include:

• The competence of the petition in light of alleged violations of the Electoral Act 2026.
• The absence of the APC as a necessary party in the petition.
• Whether the petitioners have demonstrated that Oyebanji’s election was invalid due to non-compliance with electoral provisions.
• Whether there were corrupt practices that invalidated the election results.
• If evidence supports that Oyebanji was not elected by a majority of lawful votes cast.
• Whether the SDP's candidate, Adebayo Alade, is entitled to be declared the duly elected governor based on the election results.

Additionally, Oyebanji has outlined five similar issues in response to the petition filed by the Action Alliance. As the tribunal proceedings unfold, the outcome will be closely watched, especially considering the implications for the APC and the political landscape in Ekiti State. The tribunal's decisions will play a crucial role in determining the legitimacy of the election results and the future of governance in the state.