Ekiti Poll: SDP Denies Withdrawal of Governorship Candidate

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has dismissed reports claiming that its governorship candidate, Ambassador Isaac Adebayo Alade, has withdrawn from the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, made the clarification in a statement issued on Friday.

The denial follows reports suggesting that Alade had stepped down from the race ahead of the election.

However, the SDP described the report as false and fabricated, alleging that it was designed to mislead voters and distract the electorate ahead of the poll.

According to the party, the withdrawal claim was linked to a group loyal to its expelled former National Chairman, Shehu Gabam.

“The Ekiti electorate and members of the general public are hereby assured by the National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, and the National Working Committee (NWC) that the SDP is listed on the ballot and its candidate, Ambassador Isaac Adebayo Alade, the validly nominated candidate recognised by INEC, particularly as one of the governorship candidates who signed the INEC Peace Pact, remains strongly in contention for the election,” the statement read.

The party urged its supporters and voters in Ekiti State to disregard the withdrawal report and remain focused on the election.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently recognised Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe as the National Chairman of the SDP on its official portal.

Meanwhile, INEC has assured stakeholders that all arrangements have been concluded for the conduct of the Ekiti State governorship election on Saturday.