The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ekiti State has protested at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the omission of two of its senatorial candidates from the final list released for the 2027 general elections.
The protesters, made up of NDC members, supporters and representatives of the Obedient Movement, demanded the immediate reinstatement of Prince Adeyinka Ali, the party’s candidate for Ekiti North Senatorial District, and Ayokunle Olusegun, who is listed for Ekiti South Senatorial District.
The party supporters said both candidates emerged from the NDC primary election conducted on May 29, 2026. They claimed that INEC had initially recognised the two politicians as the party’s legitimate candidates before their names were left out of the commission’s final list.
The protesters described the omission as unfair and potentially damaging to the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections. They called on INEC to explain the circumstances surrounding the removal and correct what they considered an irregularity.
NDC Members Demand Immediate Action
Speaking on behalf of Ayokunle Olusegun, Adediji Segun said the demonstration was organised to demand the restoration of the two candidates’ names.
He questioned why individuals who had reportedly supported and invested in the party would suddenly be excluded from the electoral list. Segun also criticised what he described as unilateral decision-making within the party.
The leader of the Obedient Movement in Ekiti State, Emmanuel Olamidotun, also condemned the development. He insisted that the movement would oppose any action it considered unjust or harmful to the party’s candidates.
Olamidotun called on the NDC leadership to respect the outcome of the primary election. He further demanded disciplinary action against David Adesua, whom he accused of undermining the party’s interests.
The NDC publicity secretary in Ekiti State, Olawale Olatunde, warned that the controversy could affect the party’s performance in the 2027 elections.
Olatunde urged the relevant authorities to resolve the dispute quickly, stressing that the continued absence of the candidates’ names could weaken the party’s electoral chances.
The protesters subsequently appealed to INEC to review the matter and ensure that the candidates who emerged from the party’s primary were properly reflected in the final list.
However, no INEC official reportedly received the protesters, and the commission had not issued an official response to the complaint at the time of the report.
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