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The allegation comes amid growing political tension and follows the circulation of reports claiming that the SDP had withdrawn from Saturday’s governorship election—claims the party has strongly dismissed as false, malicious and politically motivated.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