Newspot Nigeria News Desk
A fresh legal battle has emerged ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election as the Action Peoples Party (APP) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, challenging the eligibility of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji.
The suit, filed under an originating summons, names the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, and the APC as defendants.
Core Allegations Against APC Candidate
At the heart of the case is a serious allegation that the APC candidate submitted false credentials and conflicting personal information to INEC during the nomination process.
According to court documents, the plaintiff argues that INEC acted improperly by publishing Oyebamiji’s name as a candidate despite alleged discrepancies in his submitted records.
The APP specifically questions whether INEC complied with constitutional provisions, particularly Section 182(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which addresses disqualification criteria related to false information.
Controversy Over Name Discrepancies
A major point of contention in the suit is the alleged use of multiple names by the APC candidate.
The plaintiff claims that while official documents submitted to INEC listed the candidate as “Bola Oyebamiji,” other records allegedly introduced the name “Munirudeen,” which does not appear in his academic or historical credentials.
The suit further alleges that the introduction of the additional name lacked legal backing such as a deed poll or formal declaration, raising concerns about identity consistency and transparency.
INEC’s Role Under Scrutiny
The APP contends that INEC failed in its constitutional duty to verify candidate submissions before publishing the final list of contestants for the election.
Documents before the court indicate that INEC had released the final list of candidates on March 4, 2026, following the electoral timetable for the Osun governorship election, now scheduled for August 15, 2026.
The plaintiff argues that this publication should be nullified due to the alleged irregularities tied to the APC candidate’s documentation.
Reliefs Sought by the Plaintiff
The APP is asking the court to grant several key orders, including:
- A declaration that INEC acted wrongly in publishing the APC candidate’s name
- An order invalidating the candidacy of Mr. Oyebamiji
- A perpetual injunction restraining INEC from recognizing him as a valid candidate
- A mandatory order directing INEC to remove his name from the list of candidates
Implications for Osun 2026 Election
The case introduces a new layer of legal uncertainty into the Osun governorship race, which is already shaping up to be politically competitive.
If the court rules in favor of the plaintiff, it could significantly alter the APC’s participation in the election and potentially reshape the political dynamics in the state.
As of the time of filing this report, neither INEC nor the APC candidate has publicly responded to the allegations contained in the suit.
Newspot Nigeria will continue to monitor developments in this case as it unfolds.
— Newspot Nigeria
