Ekiti Poll Drama: SDP Questions INEC’s Agent Portal Delay

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 electoral 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 needed to complete the process, effectively preventing it from deploying agents ahead of Saturday’s election.
Describing the development as “deeply troubling,” the SDP said the situation raises concerns about fairness in the conduct of the election 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signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party also dismissed reports claiming it had withdrawn from the governorship race, describing the reports as “false, deliberate and politically engineered misinformation.”
The SDP maintained that its candidate, Ambassador Isaac Adebayo Alade, remains the duly nominated and INEC-recognised flagbearer of the party and is fully participating in the election.
According to the party, Alade’s participation in the INEC-organised Peace Accord serves as clear evidence of his legitimacy and the party’s continued involvement in the poll.
The SDP, however, expressed concern over what it described as contradictions in INEC’s handling of the polling agents’ system.
“Why issue access codes if there was no intention to allow their use?” the party queried, warning that such inconsistencies could weaken public trust in the electoral process.
The party argued that denying a recognised political party the opportunity to deploy polling agents raises serious concerns about transparency and equal participation in a democratic contest.
It further stressed that elections must not only be conducted fairly but must also be seen as fair in order to enjoy public legitimacy.
Political observers say the allegations, if left unresolved, could heighten tensions surrounding the election and trigger post-election disputes.
The controversy has added another layer of uncertainty to the closely contested governorship race, with stakeholders awaiting clarification from INEC as voting begins.
Despite its concerns, the SDP reaffirmed its commitment to the electoral process and urged Ekiti voters to participate peacefully and decisively.
The party maintained that the election remains a critical test of democratic fairness and institutional credibility in Nigeria’s electoral system.