By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State staged a protest at the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ado-Ekiti over the exclusion of the party from the June 20 governorship election.
This comes amid threats by other opposition parties to boycott the poll if the candidate of the PDP is excluded from the election.
The opposition parties, under the aegis of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), declared that they would not participate in the election if the PDP and its governorship candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, who was not included in the provisional list of candidates published recently, remain excluded.
Chairman of IPAC in Ekiti State, Owoola Daramola, described the exclusion as dangerous to Nigeria’s democracy, warning that it could undermine democratic values and the credibility of the electoral process.
Daramola spoke during the protest by PDP members, who converged on the INEC office carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs to register their displeasure over the omission of their party from the list of candidates cleared to participate in the election.
The protest coincided with a closed-door meeting between INEC officials, the IPAC chairman, and PDP leaders, as efforts were made to address the controversy.
According to Daramola, IPAC was compelled to intervene following the disputes trailing the PDP’s exclusion.
He disclosed that preliminary findings by the council indicated that the party conducted its governorship primary election in line with due process and in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Daramola further cautioned that the unlawful exclusion of any political party would severely erode public confidence in the election and set a dangerous precedent for the country’s democratic system.
Speaking on behalf of the PDP, a former deputy governorship candidate, Deji Ogunsakin, described the party’s exclusion as unjustified and a direct threat to democratic principles.
He maintained that the PDP was fully prepared for the June 20 governorship election and had complied with all constitutional and electoral requirements.
Ogunsakin stated that the party conducted its governorship primary in accordance with the Electoral Act, adding that INEC officials were present to monitor the exercise that produced Dr Oluyede as the PDP’s governorship candidate.
He warned that preventing the party from participating in the election could seriously undermine the credibility of the poll and weaken public trust in the electoral process.
In his response to the protesters, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ekiti State, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said the issues raised by the PDP were beyond the authority of the state office of the commission.
Omoseyindemi, who was represented by the Head of Department, Election and Party Monitoring (EPM), Kehinde Mustafa, explained that matters relating to the publication of candidates’ lists are handled at INEC’s national headquarters.
He advised the PDP to channel its grievances to the INEC headquarters in Abuja for appropriate consideration, while reiterating the commission’s commitment to neutrality, professionalism, and strict adherence to the Electoral Act and its guidelines.
