Ekiti Polls: SDP Accuses INEC Of Plot To Exclude Party

The Social Democratic Party (SDP), has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission of orchestrating a deliberate plot to exclude it from the June 20 Ekiti governorship election.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, in a statement issued on Friday, said INEC’s refusal to grant the party access to its candidate upload portal was a calculated move to undermine SDP’s participation.

“INEC deliberately shut the portal after we tried to upload Ambassador Suleiman Alade’s name. This is a clear attempt to deny Ekiti people their choice,” Aiyenigba said.

He stressed that the commission’s action violated Section 77(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates INEC to monitor party primaries and not dictate candidates to political parties.

He also said that Alade’s nomination followed due process and that INEC had no legal basis to reject his candidacy or deny portal access to SDP.

Aiyenigba claimed the commission’s conduct amounted to disenfranchisement, as it effectively barred millions of Ekiti voters from voting for the party on election day.

Aiyenigba also accused INEC of double standards, noting that other parties were allowed to correct errors on the portal while SDP was completely locked out.

“INEC allowed APC and PDP to correct mistakes on their portals, yet SDP was locked out. This shows bias and erodes public trust in the commission,” he added.

The party urged INEC to immediately restore access and allow it to upload its candidate, stressing that the constitution guarantees freedom of association and political participation.

“The party would pursue all legal and democratic avenues to ensure INEC does not succeed in its alleged plot to rig it out of the Ekiti governorship contest.” Aiyenigba stated