SDP Rejects Withdrawal Claims Ahead of Ekiti Governorship Election

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has rejected claims that it stepped back from the Ekiti State governorship election, describing such reports as false and deliberately misleading. Party officials issued statements on Friday confirming that Ambassador Isaac Adebayo Alad, the party's nominated candidate, will continue his bid for the governorship position scheduled for June 20, 2026.

The party's National Public Secretary, Araba Rufu Aiyenigba, addressed the matter directly, assuring voters that the candidate's name remains validly listed on the ballot. National Chairman Professor Sadiq Umar Abubakar and members of the party's National Working Committee also reaffirmed the SDP's full participation in the election.

According to the party's statements, the SDP has raised concerns about obstacles in the electoral process. The party alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has blocked access for the SDP to deploy polling agents and upload agent names for the election.

This technical impediment has been cited as a source of friction between the party and the electoral body. The SDP characterised the withdrawal reports as originating from 'political jobbers' and urged the general public to dismiss such claims as fabricated.

Party officials stated that the misleading narratives had been circulating among sections of the Ekiti electorate and wider Nigerian audiences. The party maintained its commitment to competing in the election under its candidate's nomination and signature already registered with INEC.