Supporters and members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ekiti State have welcomed the inclusion of Ambassador Isaac Alade’s name on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal following a Supreme Court judgment affirming him as the party’s authentic governorship candidate for the forthcoming election in the state.
The development followed a peaceful protest staged by SDP members and supporters at the INEC office in Ado-Ekiti, where demonstrators demanded the enforcement of the apex court’s ruling and the immediate recognition of Ambassador Alade as the party’s duly nominated candidate.
Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the protesters expressed concern over the omission of Alade’s name from the list of candidates published by the electoral commission despite what they described as a clear and conclusive judgment of the Supreme Court.
Addressing journalists during the protest, Ambassador Alade expressed frustration over the delay in reflecting his name on the commission’s official records. He maintained that the Supreme Court had already affirmed Professor Sodiq Gombe as the authentic National Chairman of the SDP and validated the primary election conducted in Ado-Ekiti which produced him as the party’s governorship candidate.
“By now, my name should be on the portal. What is really delaying it?” Alade queried, while appealing to the electoral authorities to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the party and to give full effect to the Supreme Court’s decision.
Responding to the concerns raised by the protesters, the Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi acknowledged the issue and assured party members that the matter would be formally reviewed and addressed in accordance with the law.
The assurance was later reinforced following a stakeholders’ meeting, during which the commission confirmed that Ambassador Alade’s name would be uploaded and recognised as the SDP candidate for the June 20 governorship election in the state.
INEC subsequently updated its records, and checks confirmed that Alade’s name had been duly included on the official list of candidates and would appear on the ballot.
Reacting to the development, Ondo SDP Chairman, Barr. Gbenga Akinbuli and other SDP leaders and supporters commended the commission for complying with the Supreme Court judgment and respecting the rule of law. They described the outcome as a victory for democracy, justice and the sanctity of judicial pronouncements.
The party reaffirmed its readiness to participate fully in the election and urged its supporters across the state to remain peaceful, law-abiding and committed to the democratic process.
