Fact-Check: Did the SDP Abandon Its Ekiti Governorship Candidate for Governor Oyebanji?
Claim: The SDP has withdrawn support for and abandoned its candidate, Peter Obafemi and adopted the APC’s Biodun Oyebanji’s second-term bid Verdict: Misleading. Full Story Media reports said...
Claim: The SDP has withdrawn support for and abandoned its candidate, Peter Obafemi and adopted the APC’s Biodun Oyebanji’s second-term bid
Verdict: Misleading.
Full Story
Media reports said the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ekiti State declared support for the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), less than 72 hours before the June 20 governorship election.
At a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, June 18, 2026, SDP State Chairman Ayodele Bamikole said the endorsement followed wide consultations with party leaders, stakeholders and members across the state’s 16 local government areas.
He said, “On behalf of all members of the Social Democratic Party in Ekiti State, I formally and enthusiastically endorse His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, and his deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye, in their bid for re-election in Saturday’s governorship election.
“This decision was not taken lightly. It followed broad consultations and a thorough evaluation of the political landscape as well as the performance of the various candidates seeking the mandate of the people.”
“As a party, we openly declare our support for our Omoluabi Governor, and we are committing our structure and supporters to deliver at least 25,000 votes for him in the election,” he stated.
However, the SDP governorship candidate denied that the party had abandoned his candidacy, insisting that supporters still backed his campaign.
The SDP’s national leadership also reaffirmed its support for Otunba Peter Olugbenga Obafemi as the party’s legitimate governorship candidate in Ekiti State.
The National Organising Secretary of the SDP, Dr Uchechukwu Chukwuma Ogbonna, in a statement said the party is not part of any coalition or endorsement of any candidate aside from Peter Obafemi.
The SDP national leadership disowned certain individuals allegedly acting in the name of the party and publicly endorsing the candidate of another political party ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
“The attention of the good people of Ekiti State and members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has been drawn to reports of certain individuals, allegedly acting in the name of the party, publicly endorsing the candidate of another political party ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
“However, in a clear and unequivocal response, the national leadership of the Social Democratic Party has stated that it never authorised nor approved any endorsement of another party’s candidate by officials or members acting on behalf of the SDP in Ekiti State.”
This development, therefore, raises two questions: Can the SDP be said to have endorsed the incumbent governor? Which organ within a political party has the authority to make such a declaration?
Evidence indicates that some members of the SDP structure in Ekiti publicly backed Governor Oyebanji. However, no publicly available evidence shows that the endorsement was an official decision of the party’s national leadership or that it displaced the party’s governorship candidate.
Since politics is local, people within the Ekiti State SDP can declare their support for the governor’s aspiration, but that does not amount to a party decision because the support did not emanate from a resolution of any constitutionally recognised organs of the party.
And the impact of such a declaration is further diminished when made without the consent of the state governorship candidate who is officially expected to formally withdraw from the race in writing.
Verification:
Can a Candidate Step Down 48 Hours Before Election?
Nigeria’s Electoral Act draws an important distinction between “withdrawal of candidature” and “political endorsement”.
Under Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2022, withdrawal of candidature must be done by the candidate personally through a signed written notice submitted to the political party. The party then communicates the withdrawal to INEC within the required timelines.
Why This Matters
Election periods often bring competing claims from different actors seeking legitimacy. As election day approaches, reports of endorsements, adoption and candidates “stepping down” can become widespread. Voters should, therefore, treat such statements with caution, especially when they come from individuals whose authority to speak for the party is unclear.
Conclusion
Available evidence shows that some leaders within the SDP, Ekiti State structure, publicly declared support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji. However, their position was disputed by the party’s governorship candidate and its national leadership. It is, therefore, misleading.
Even when political endorsements occur, they do not automatically amount to a withdrawal of the candidate, as they have not complied with the Electoral Act.
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