The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has dismissed reports claiming that it has withdrawn from the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, describing the allegation as false, misleading, and politically motivated.
The clarification was issued on Friday in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, who insisted that the SDP remains fully in the race.
According to him, the party’s governorship candidate, Isaac Alade, is still validly nominated and recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and remains on the ballot for the election.
Aiyenigba urged voters in Ekiti State to ignore what he described as a fabricated withdrawal notice allegedly circulated by political opponents ahead of the poll.
He said, “The Ekiti electorate and members of the public are hereby assured by the National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, and the National Working Committee that the SDP is on the ballot, and its candidate, Isaac Alade, the validly nominated candidate who signed the INEC Peace Pact, remains strongly in contention for the election.”
The party alleged that unnamed individuals were deliberately spreading misinformation to confuse voters and weaken its chances at the polls.
The SDP also raised concerns over what it described as difficulties in accessing INEC’s portal for the upload of polling unit agents, despite being issued access codes by the commission.
Aiyenigba claimed that the commission failed to activate the platform required for the submission of agents’ details.
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He warned that any perceived administrative lapses or bias by the electoral umpire could affect confidence in the credibility of the election, especially if opposition parties are denied full participation.
“The SDP hereby declares that in an election such as this, where the actions and inactions of the electoral umpire show an unhidden bias, the outcome becomes a nullity, considering that the deliberate locking out of agents of a major opposition party like the SDP by the commission erodes the credibility of the election,” the statement added.
Despite the concerns raised, the party reaffirmed its commitment to the election, stating that it remains a credible alternative for good governance, inclusive development, and improved socio-economic conditions in Ekiti State.
It also pledged continued advocacy for transparent, fair, and credible electoral processes across Nigeria.