The Social Democratic Party has dismissed reports suggesting that it pulled out of the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, insisting that its candidate, Isaac Alade, remains in the race.
In a statement released in Abuja on Friday, the party described the withdrawal reports as false and misleading. The SDP said its candidate was duly nominated and remains recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the election.
The party urged residents of Ekiti State and its supporters to ignore the circulating claims, maintaining that its name remains on the ballot and that it is fully prepared to participate in the contest.
The SDP alleged that certain individuals were spreading false information in an attempt to confuse voters and create uncertainty ahead of the election. According to the party, the reports did not originate from any official source and should not be taken seriously.
The party also raised concerns about its participation in the electoral process, accusing INEC of failing to provide the necessary access required for the upload of polling unit agents. It claimed that although access codes were issued to its national secretariat, the required portal was not made available for the completion of the process.
According to the SDP, the situation could affect confidence in the conduct of the election if not addressed. The party argued that preventing a major opposition party from deploying its agents could raise questions about the transparency and fairness of the poll.
Despite its concerns, the SDP reaffirmed its commitment to the election and said it would continue to offer what it described as a viable alternative for the people of Ekiti State. The party added that it remains committed to promoting credible elections, democratic values, and good governance.
With the governorship election just hours away, the SDP maintained that its candidate remains firmly on the ballot and called on voters to disregard any information suggesting otherwise.