The Ekiti State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has denied insinuations that it has selected some people and sent their names to the Independent National Electoral Commission as dummy candidates in the state.
The state chairman of the party, Chief Dele Ekunola, in a statement, said this is far from the truth as the SDP in the state adheres strictly to democratic norms and principles at all times and will not engage in any undemocratic act.
Chief Ekunola said hundreds of aspirants bought Expression of Interest forms to contest for national and state Assembly positions.
“Only those who emerged as our party candidates were allowed to purchase Nomination Forms. Meaning that those who did not get Nomination Forms are already out of the race.
“This we did in consideration of the economic situation of the country and to lessen the financial burden on our party members, bearing in mind that we have a crucial governorship election in Ekiti State.
“In compliance with Section 84 (9) of the Electoral Act (as amended), our candidates emerged through consensus arrangement and their names
will be sent to INEC in accordance with Section 29 of the Electoral Act (as amended).
While insisting that the SDP will not compel any of its candidates to withdraw as being speculated, Chief Ekunola said Section 33 of the Electoral Act (as amended) provided that ‘A political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute its candidate whose name has been submitted under section 29 of this Act, except in the case of death or withdrawal by the candidate: Provided that in the case of such withdrawal or death of a candidate, the political party affected shall, within 14 days of the occurrence of the event, hold a fresh primary election to produce and submit a fresh candidate to the Commission for the election concerned.’
“With the above provision of the Electoral Act, even in the event of voluntary withdrawal of candidates or death, our party will conduct a primary election to be monitored by INEC to elect another candidate.
“We, therefore, appeal to the aspirants who did not emerge as candidates not to despair. They should remain committed to the party and we
assure that they will be adequately rewarded when we win the governorship election.”