SDP Says It Remains on Ekiti 2026 Governorship Ballot, Accuses APC of Disinformation
_Party vows to challenge any attempt to disenfranchise its candidate, cites INEC portal issues_
Abuja, The National Headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has dismissed reports of its withdrawal from the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, describing the claim as “fabricated disinformation” sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its agents.
In a press statement issued on Friday by National Publicity Secretary Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party said its candidate, Ambassador Isaac Adebayo, remains “strongly in contention” and is listed on the INEC ballot and portal as the validly nominated flag-bearer of the SDP.
“The attention of the National Headquarters of the Social Democratic Party has been drawn to a fabricated disinformation and falsehood sponsored by the APC and its agents alleging that the SDP has withdrawn from the Ekiti State governorship election,” the statement read.
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According to the SDP, INEC officials at the national headquarters in Abuja have confirmed that the party’s candidate is properly listed. The party, however, alleged that officials of the Commission in Ekiti State have “inexplicably refused” to open the INEC portal for uploading polling unit agents, which it described as a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise the party and its voters.
“The SDP is a political party of patriotic, ethical and democratic progressives who stand for the advancement of good governance, accountability and prosperity,” Aiyenigba said. “We will continue to promote credible, peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections. We reject and denounce violence, manipulation, undemocratic and anti-people tendencies.”
The party called on INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to intervene and ensure that the Ekiti State office opens the portal for agent upload “as it is done in other states” so that the SDP can participate fully in the election.
The SDP urged Ekiti voters to “troop out en masse” on election day and vote for Ambassador Isaac Adebayo, expressing confidence that the candidate will win and “liberate the people of Ekiti State from the maladministration and misrule of the APC.”
INEC is yet to respond to the allegations as of press time.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JUNE 19TH 2026)
