Ekiti Gubernatorial Election: SDP Denies Withdrawal Claims and Accuses INEC of Blocking Its Agents

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) said on Friday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was blocking its ability to deploy polling agents for Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election, while denying claims that it had withdrawn from the race.

The party confirmed that its governorship candidate, Ambassador Isaac Adebayo Alade, is still on the ballot and actively participating in the election.

In a statement from National Publicity Secretary Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP called reports of its withdrawal “false and misleading” and urged voters and the public to ignore them.

According to the statement, National Chairman Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe and the National Working Committee (NWC) have reiterated that the SDP remains a contestant and that Alade is the party’s duly nominated candidate recognized by INEC.

“The Ekiti electorate and members of the general public are hereby assured that the SDP is listed on the ballot and its candidate, Ambassador Isaac Adebayo Alade, remains strongly in contention for the election,” the statement read.

The party noted that Alade was among the governorship candidates who signed the INEC peace accord before the poll.

SDP also alleged that, although it received an access code from INEC for uploading polling unit agents, the commission failed to activate the required portal.

“It is instructive to note and inform the public that INEC formally provided an access code to our National Secretariat for the uploading of the names of polling unit agents of the SDP,” the statement added. “However, officials of the commission at the national headquarters refused to open the portal to enable us to upload the party’s agents for the governorship election.”

The party argued that preventing a political party from deploying its agents could undermine the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.

“The deliberate locking out of agents of a major opposition party erodes the credibility of the election,” it said.

SDP rejected claims that it had exited the race, asserting that such reports were intended to mislead voters ahead of the election.

Reaffirming its commitment to the contest, the party said it remains focused on presenting a credible alternative platform for governance and development in Ekiti State.

The statement added that the SDP would continue to advocate for transparent, fair, and credible electoral processes as part of its contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development.