CBN Electoral Commission Disqualifies all Governorship Candidates, Bye-Election Announced

The CBN Electoral Commission, University of Ibadan, conducted its 2025/2026 executive elections virtually on Saturday, April 25, for the J. Oladele Sanusi Lecture Theatre, popularly known as the CBN Lecture Theatre, in an eventful exercise that ended with all three gubernatorial candidates disqualified and a bye-election announced for the position of Governor.

The election, which commenced at 11:00 a.m. and ran for six hours had only students of the Faculty of Science as eligible participants. The accreditation link for eligible voters had closed on April 24, a day before the election.

The road to election day began on April 19, when the sale of nomination forms for aspirants closed. Screening of candidates followed on April 22, during which aspirants were assessed on their leadership qualities, manifesto delivery, and ability to convince the commission of their eligibility. A Manifesto Night was held on April 23, giving candidates a final public platform to present their visions to the student body.

Seventeen candidates were screened across all positions, with the pass mark set at 50. Three candidates were disqualified at the screening stage: Atolagbe Fisayo and Obabiyi Goodness for the post of Governor, and Sabastian Flames for the position of Public Relations Officer. The remaining candidates proceeded to the election.

However, on election day, the three candidates who had qualified for the gubernatorial contest — David Alabi, Destiny Onyema, and Okareh Victor — were disqualified by the Electoral Commission for violating electoral rules by campaigning on the day of the election. Despite already receiving votes, with David Alabi polling 467, Destiny Onyema 90, and Okareh Victor 86, all three were ruled ineligible. The Commission subsequently announced that a bye-election for the Governor’s position would be conducted at a later date.

Elections for the remaining positions were concluded successfully. Sodeinde Waliyat Aderayo was elected Deputy Governor, garnering 597 votes against 57 undecided votes. Alebiosu Oreoluwa won the Treasurer position with 268 votes, defeating Favour Marvelous, who polled 234, and Ayodele Anuoluwapo, who received 123 votes. Oyeniyi Wareez emerged as Public Relations Officer with 279 votes in a closely contested race, edging out Sulaiman Damilola, who received 266 votes, and Obasanya Anuoluwapo, who polled 88. Olanrewaju David claimed the Social Director position with 318 votes, narrowly defeating Olayinka Happiness, who received 311 votes, while Richard Okechukwu was returned as Sport Director with 576 votes.

The date for the gubernatorial bye-election has not yet been announced

Abdulazeez Romlah