The SDP has denied withdrawing from the Ekiti governorship election, insisting its candidate remains on the ballot despite concerns over agent accreditation.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has strongly dismissed reports suggesting that it has pulled out of the upcoming Ekiti governorship election, insisting that its candidate remains firmly in the contest and ready to challenge for the state’s top political office.
The clarification comes amid growing political activities across Ekiti State as parties make final preparations for the highly anticipated poll.
According to the SDP, rumours of its withdrawal are entirely false and appear to be part of deliberate efforts to create confusion among voters ahead of election day.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, the SDP described the reports as misleading and urged members of the public to ignore them.
He maintained that the party’s governorship candidate, Ambassador Isaac Alade, remains fully committed to the race and has not at any point indicated an intention to withdraw.
The party stressed that its participation in the Ekiti governorship election remains unchanged and that all necessary steps had been taken to ensure its presence on the ballot.
Aiyenigba noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially recognized the SDP as one of the political parties contesting the election.
According to him, Ambassador Alade also participated in the peace accord ceremony organized ahead of the election, joining other candidates in pledging to promote a peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process.
The SDP believes this public commitment further confirms its readiness to participate in the poll.
Political observers say such rumours often emerge during intense election periods as competing interests attempt to influence public perception.
However, the SDP insisted that the false reports should not distract voters from the issues at stake in the election.
The party alleged that certain individuals who are not recognized members of the SDP may be collaborating with political opponents to spread misinformation.
It warned that such actions could undermine public confidence in the democratic process if left unchecked.
As the Ekiti governorship election draws closer, the party has called on supporters across the state to remain calm and focused.
It encouraged voters to verify information from credible sources rather than relying on social media speculation and unverified political claims.
Beyond denying the withdrawal reports, the SDP also expressed concern over challenges it claimed to have encountered while preparing for election monitoring activities.
The party accused INEC of failing to provide it with full access to the online portal designated for the upload of polling unit agent details.
Polling agents play a crucial role during elections, as they represent political parties at voting centres and help monitor the conduct of the process.
According to the SDP, although an access code was reportedly issued to the party’s national secretariat, officials were unable to gain access to the portal needed for the submission of agents’ information.
The party argued that the issue could affect its ability to deploy representatives across polling units during the election.
Aiyenigba expressed concern that any limitation on the participation of political parties could raise questions about fairness and inclusiveness.
He urged electoral authorities to address the matter promptly to ensure that all parties enjoy equal opportunities to participate in the process.
The allegation has added another layer of attention to the Ekiti governorship election, which is expected to attract significant interest from political stakeholders both within and outside the state.
Electoral experts have repeatedly emphasized the importance of transparency and equal treatment of all parties in strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions.
Despite its concerns, the SDP reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and peaceful political engagement.
The party said it remains determined to provide what it described as a credible alternative platform for residents of Ekiti State.
Party officials also called on supporters to come out peacefully and exercise their civic responsibilities in accordance with the law.
They emphasized that elections should be decided by voters rather than misinformation campaigns or political manipulation.
The Ekiti governorship election is being closely watched as another important test of Nigeria’s democratic development.
Political parties are expected to compete vigorously for voter support, while electoral authorities face increasing expectations to deliver a transparent and credible process.
For the SDP, the immediate priority is ensuring that voters understand that its candidate remains in the race.
The party believes that clarifying its position is necessary to prevent confusion among supporters and safeguard its electoral prospects.
As campaigns wind down and attention shifts to voting day, the focus will remain on how political parties, election officials and security agencies manage the process.
The outcome of the election could shape the political direction of Ekiti State for years to come.
For now, the SDP has made its position clear: it has not withdrawn from the Ekiti governorship election, its candidate remains on the ballot, and it intends to participate fully in the democratic contest.
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