Explosive Vote Buying Claims Rock Ekiti Guber Poll, SDP Alleges Credibility Undermined

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has strongly condemned the conduct and outcome of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, despite the declaration of a winner. The party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, released a statement asserting that the integrity of the electoral process was severely compromised by widespread vote buying and the alleged exclusion of its agents. While acknowledging some improvements in election logistics, the SDP maintained that these positives were overshadowed by serious irregularities.

Aiyenigba emphasized that the rampant vote-buying prevalent during the election cast a significant shadow over its credibility, stating that the entire process leading to the declaration of a winner remains debatable. This practice, according to the SDP, fundamentally undermined the trust placed in the electoral system and distorted the will of the electorate.

Furthermore, the SDP vehemently protested the alleged deliberate exclusion of its party agents from the electoral process. Aiyenigba claimed that the failure to upload the names of the party’s agents rendered the election a nullity from their standpoint, effectively preventing their proper participation and oversight.

In light of these concerns, the SDP issued a fervent call to Nigerian citizens to actively resist practices that breach public faith and trust in electoral processes. The party warned against "unholy pacts of administrators of our elections with anti-democratic agents," cautioning that such "shenanigans" threaten the very survival of Nigeria's democratic journey. The SDP spokesman stressed the urgent need for stakeholders to work collectively towards enhancing electoral standards, advocating for elections that are cleaner, more transparent, and purged of corrupt practices inimical to national transformation.