Tensions surrounding the Ekiti State governorship election intensified on Friday as the Social Democratic Party (SDP) accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of actions it says could undermine opposition participation and public confidence in the process.
The party alleged that although it was issued access credentials by INEC for the upload of polling unit agents, the Commission failed to activate the portal required to complete the process—effectively preventing it from deploying agents ahead of Saturday’s election.
Describing the situation as “deeply troubling,” the SDP said the development raises questions about fairness in the conduct of the poll and the treatment of opposition parties.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party also dismissed reports claiming it had withdrawn from the race, calling them “false, deliberate and politically engineered misinformation.”
The SDP insisted that its candidate, Ambassador Isaac Adebayo Alade, remains the duly nominated and INEC-recognised flagbearer of the party and is fully in the contest.
It said Alade’s participation in the INEC-organised Peace Accord was clear evidence of his legitimacy and the party’s continued involvement in the election.
The party, however, focused sharply on what it described as a contradiction in INEC’s handling of the polling agents’ system.
“Why issue access codes if there was no intention to allow their use?” the party asked, warning that such inconsistencies could erode trust in the electoral process.
The SDP argued that denying a recognised political party the ability to deploy polling agents raises serious concerns about transparency and equal opportunity in a democratic contest.
It further cautioned that elections must not only be conducted but must also be seen to be fair in order to command public legitimacy.
Political observers say the allegations, if not addressed by INEC, could deepen tensions around the poll and fuel post-election disputes.
The controversy has added a new layer of uncertainty to the tightly contested governorship race, with stakeholders awaiting clarification from the electoral commission as voting commences.
Despite the allegations, the SDP reaffirmed its commitment to the electoral process and urged voters in Ekiti State to participate peacefully and decisively.
The party maintained that the election remains a crucial test of democratic fairness and institutional credibility in Nigeria’s electoral system.