SDP Rejects Ekiti Poll Withdrawal Claim, Alleges APC, INEC Collusion

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has dismissed reports that it has withdrawn from Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, insisting that its candidate, Ambassador Isaac Adebayo Alade, remains firmly in the race.

The party also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of frustrating its participation in the election and alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was behind what it described as attempts to weaken opposition involvement in the poll.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP described the withdrawal report as a deliberate falsehood designed to mislead voters ahead of the election.

According to the party, Alade remains its validly nominated candidate and is duly recognised by INEC.

The SDP said those spreading the withdrawal claim were “political jobbers and impostors” allegedly acting on behalf of the APC to create confusion among voters.

“The SDP is on the ballot and our candidate remains strongly in contention for the election,” the statement said.

The party urged residents of Ekiti State to disregard the reports and come out to vote for its candidate.

Beyond the withdrawal controversy, the SDP raised concerns over what it described as efforts to exclude it from key aspects of the electoral process.

The party alleged that INEC failed to open its portal for the upload of polling unit agents despite providing access codes to the party’s national secretariat.

According to the SDP, the development prevented it from uploading agents who were expected to monitor voting and collation activities across polling units in the state.

The party argued that the situation raises questions about the transparency and credibility of the election.

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

It further alleged that the action formed part of a broader plan to undermine opposition participation in the governorship contest.

While expressing dissatisfaction with the situation, the SDP maintained that it would continue to participate in the electoral process and defend the votes of its supporters.

The party reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and pledged to continue advocating free, fair and credible elections.

It also presented itself as a viable alternative for governance in the state, urging voters not to be distracted by what it described as misinformation aimed at influencing the outcome of the poll.

The Ekiti governorship election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, with political parties making final efforts to mobilise support ahead of the exercise.