SDP Osun candidate judgment dispute deepens as the party seeks a court order stopping implementation of the ruling pending appeal
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has asked the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division, to suspend the execution of a Federal High Court judgment recognising Salawu-Adeniyi Mustapha Olaitan as its governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election.
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The party filed a Motion on Notice before the appellate court seeking an order to preserve the status quo until its appeal against the lower court’s decision is determined.
The dispute follows a June 24, 2026 ruling delivered by Justice Mohammed Garuba Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026, which recognised Olaitan as the party’s candidate.
In its application, the SDP also asked the Court of Appeal to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from taking steps to enforce or implement the judgment pending the outcome of the appeal.
The appeal, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1011/2026, lists the SDP as the appellant, while Olaitan Salawu, INEC, the party’s expelled National Chairman Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam and expelled National Youth Leader Uchechukwu Chukwuma are among the respondents.
The party relied on provisions of the Court of Appeal Act, the Court of Appeal Rules 2021 and the court’s inherent powers in seeking the stay of execution.
SDP argued that the appeal raises substantial and arguable legal issues that require consideration by the appellate court.
It said allowing the Federal High Court decision to take effect before the appeal is concluded could affect the subject matter of the case.
The party maintained that if INEC proceeds with actions based on the judgment and the appeal later succeeds, reversing those steps could become difficult or impossible.
According to the application, suspending the judgment’s implementation would serve the interest of justice by maintaining the existing situation until the legal dispute is resolved.
The SDP further argued that without a stay order, the appeal risked becoming merely academic if irreversible actions were taken before the Court of Appeal delivered its decision.
The legal battle forms part of a wider dispute over the SDP’s leadership structure and the nomination process for the Osun governorship election.
The Court of Appeal has not yet announced a date for hearing the motion, nor has it ruled on the party’s request for a stay of execution.
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The outcome of the appeal could have significant implications for the SDP’s preparations and candidate representation ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election.
