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A fresh controversy has engulfed the Ekiti State governorship election less than 24 hours before voters head to the polls, with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of actions it claims are capable of undermining the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.

The opposition party on Friday alleged that despite officially receiving access credentials from INEC to upload its polling unit agents, the electoral umpire failed to activate the portal required for the exercise, effectively preventing the party from deploying agents across polling units in the state.

The allegation comes amid growing political tension and follows the circulation of reports claiming that the SDP had withdrawn from Saturday’s governorship election—claims the party has strongly dismissed as false, malicious and politically motivated.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP insisted that its candidate, Ambassador Isaac Adebayo Alade, remains the duly nominated and INEC-recognised governorship candidate and is fully participating in the election.

The party described reports of its withdrawal as a calculated attempt to mislead voters, suppress support for the SDP and create confusion ahead of the poll.

However, it was the party’s allegations against INEC that drew the strongest reaction.

Questioning the Commission’s handling of its polling agents’ accreditation process, the SDP asked why access credentials were issued if the party would ultimately be denied the opportunity to use them.

“Why issue access codes if there was never any intention to permit their use?” the party queried.

It further argued that denying a recognised political party the ability to deploy agents across polling units raises serious questions about fairness, transparency and equal participation in the electoral process.

The SDP warned that any election conducted under circumstances where opposition parties are allegedly prevented from effectively monitoring the voting process risks losing public confidence and legitimacy.

Political analysts say the allegations could heighten concerns over the management of the election if the issues raised are not promptly clarified by the electoral commission.

The development has also intensified scrutiny of the governorship contest, with stakeholders closely watching whether INEC will respond to the claims before voting begins.

The SDP maintained that Ambassador Alade’s participation in the INEC-sponsored Peace Accord and his inclusion among recognised candidates remain incontrovertible evidence that the party is actively contesting the election.

As Ekiti voters prepare to decide who governs the state for the next four years, the latest dispute has injected fresh uncertainty into an already closely watched election, placing INEC under pressure to address concerns over the integrity of the process and reassure stakeholders of a level playing field.

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Barely 24 hours to the governorship poll, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has withdrawn support for its governorship candidate, Peter Obafemi, and adopted Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

Announcing the decision at a press conference in Ado Ekiti yesterday, the SDP State Chairman, Ayodele Bamikole, said the endorsement followed consultations with party leaders, stakeholders and members across the 16 local government areas of the state.

Bamikole explained that the party assessed the candidates in the election and concluded that the governor had demonstrated quality leadership qualities and unalloyed commitment to the development of the state.

He said: “On behalf of all members of the Social Democratic Party in Ekiti State, I formally and enthusiastically endorse His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, and his deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye, in their bid for re-election in Saturday’s governorship election.

“This decision was not taken lightly. It followed broad consultations and a thorough evaluation of the political landscape as well as the performance of the various candidates seeking the mandate of the people.”

The SDP chairman said the party’s decision was further influenced by what he described as the inactivity of its candidate, whom he said failed to effectively engage party members or mount a visible campaign after emerging as the party’s flag bearer through a substitution process.

He noted that the party could not in good conscience continue to support a candidate who had failed to demonstrate the commitment and capacity required for such an important electoral contest.

Bamikole stated that Oyebanji’s stellar record in office convinced the party that continuity would serve the best interests of Ekiti people.

Also, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party(ZLP), Victor Adetunji, has withdrawn from the race and declared support for Oyebanji.

Adetunji announced his decision in a statement yesterday, saying the move was borne out of the need to place the interest and development of Ekiti above partisan considerations.

The ZLP standard-bearer said his withdrawal followed extensive consultations with party leaders, political associates and supporters across the state’s 16 local government areas.

Adetunji explained that the decision was taken after careful assessment of the political situation in the state and the supersonic performance of the Oyebanji-led administration.

Adetunji noted that Oyebanji had demonstrated commitment to the development of the state through policies and programmes aimed at improving infrastructure, healthcare delivery, education and the welfare of residents.

He said that the progress already recorded by the Governor Oyebanji-led APC administration should be consolidated through continuity in governance.

He urged members of the Zenith Labour Party and his supporters across the state to throw their weight behind the governor and vote massively for him in Saturday’s election.

“I now call on all Zenith Labour Party supporters across the state to unite and vote for Governor Biodun Oyebanji. Let us continue to support his efforts to transform Ekiti into a land of pride for all of us,” he stated.

He added that politics should be driven by the collective aspirations of the people rather than personal ambition,stressing that his decision was informed by his desire to see Ekiti continue on the path of peace and sustainable development.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has recognised Prof Sadiq Umar Gombe as the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party, replacing the expelled former chairman, Shehu Gabam.

The National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, said the electoral commission had updated its records in compliance with the Supreme Court’s judgment.

An independent investigation by our correspondent also confirmed that Gombe’s name had resurfaced on the portal of the commission as the current national chairman.

The development marks a significant turn in the protracted leadership crisis that has rocked the opposition party in recent months.

In his statement, Aiyenigba added that INEC removed the name of the former chairman and other expelled members from its records on June 17.

The statement read, “INEC on Wednesday bowed to the autonomy of the Social Democratic Party by implementing the ruling of the Supreme Court by uploading the name of Prof Sadiq Gombe to replace the expelled former national chairman, Shehu Gabam, who was previously recognised by the commission on account of an earlier Court of Appeal judgment.

“Having finally overcome and laid to rest the externally induced leadership crisis, the party now stands on a strong pedestal of sustainable stability to be strongly positioned for the 2027 general elections, with its very popular Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, whom Nigerians comfortably relate with as possessing the requisite capacity and competence to take the country out of the woods.”

Aiyenigba commended INEC for what it described as its decision to uphold the rule of law and respect judicial pronouncements.

“The decision of INEC to respect the rule of law and judicial authorities, particularly in this instance, is widely commended by not a few Nigerians, especially within the ranks of the SDP faithful nationwide,” he added.

The party spokesman further argued that the commission’s action was consistent with the position of the Supreme Court on the internal affairs of political parties.

He said, “It is pertinent to note that this new stance of INEC to recognise and respect the autonomy of the SDP to choose its leadership and discipline and conduct its internal affairs solely in accordance with its constitution as moderated by the constitution of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2026, is in line with the express guardian of the Supreme Court, that neither the courts nor INEC has authority or power to interfere in the internal affairs of political parties.

“We expect that INEC will use this moment to turn a new leaf and work cooperatively and respectfully with not only the SDP, but all political parties, in a manner that will show that the word ‘independent’, which is the first name of INEC, is not a hollow term.”

The SDP also pledged to continue working with democratic institutions and Nigerians to strengthen democracy and address the country’s socio-economic challenges.

The leadership crisis within the SDP intensified following a dispute between rival factions over the control of the party’s national structure.

While Gabam had continued to enjoy recognition based on an earlier Court of Appeal ruling, the party maintained that subsequent legal developments, culminating in a Supreme Court judgment, affirmed its authority to determine its leadership and discipline members in line with its constitution.

Gombe, speaking to journalists after the proceedings at the Magistrate’s Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, expressed confidence in the party’s position in an ongoing court case arising from the party’s leadership dispute.

The court on Wednesday adjourned the case until July 28, 2026, after banking documents expected to be presented as evidence were not made available for the continuation of the hearing.

Gombe said the delay was caused by the inability of the financial institution involved to produce a bank statement required by the prosecution.

According to him, efforts were initially made to obtain the document directly from the bank, but the process could not be completed within the stipulated period.

“We approached the court registry to secure a subpoena directing the bank to produce the statement,” he said.

Gombe explained that the bank informed the court that the document was voluminous and required approval from its headquarters as well as official certification before it could be released.

He said the prosecution subsequently requested more time to obtain the document, leading to the court’s decision to adjourn the case until July 28.

Commenting on the internal dispute within the SDP, Gombe maintained that the party’s actions regarding disciplinary measures against some members were carried out in accordance with its constitution and relevant legal provisions.

He stated that the decisions were approved by the party’s National Working Committee and National Executive Committee and were communicated to INEC.

“The party followed due process in handling the matter,” he said, adding that the SDP remained focused on its activities despite the ongoing legal proceedings.

“The SDP remains focused on its activities despite the ongoing legal proceedings. We are confident that the court process will provide clarity on the issues in contention, and the party will continue to operate in line with its constitution and the law,” he added.