Politics
Electoral Body Official Dismisses Protest Over NDC Senatorial List, Demands Proof of Candidacy
By Joseph Sunday
An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Ekiti State has dismissed Monday’s protest at the Commission’s office in Ado-Ekiti over the alleged exclusion of two senatorial candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the protesters as interlopers with no locus standi to challenge INEC’s final list for the 2027 general elections.
He faulted claims surrounding the candidacy of Dr. Ayokunle Olusegun, who he said is based in the United States, and challenged him to provide public proof of his candidacy.
According to him, such proof should include when and how he obtained the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms reportedly sold for N3 million and N5 million respectively, transaction receipts and evidence of payment, evidence of attendance at the party’s screening exercise, and evidence of submission of his personal forms as well as INEC Forms EC9 and EC13B to the party.
“He is just a jester sitting in America and claiming to be a candidate here in Nigeria. Someone who did not pay for the nomination form, did not attend screening, and did not attend the party’s primary cannot be claiming candidacy. That cannot stand before INEC,” the source said.
He stressed that INEC only publishes the names of candidates who emerged from valid party primaries where due process was followed.
“INEC cannot be intimidated by protests. Those aggrieved should present documentary proof rather than resorting to street action,” he added.
The reaction followed a protest earlier on Monday by members and supporters of the NDC and the Obedient Movement at the INEC office in Ado-Ekiti over the exclusion of two senatorial candidates from the Commission’s final list.
The protesters demanded the immediate restoration of the party’s candidates for Ekiti North and Ekiti South Senatorial Districts, Prince Adeyinka Ali and Dr. Ayokunle Olusegun.
They claimed both candidates emerged from the NDC primary election held on May 29, 2026, and were initially recognised by INEC before their names were omitted from the final list.
Corroborating the position of the INEC source, a prominent leader of the NDC in Ekiti State and at the national level, Apostle Ayodele David-Adesua, also faulted the claims of the protesters.
He added that the two Senatorial candidates excluded from the final list published on Saturday by the Independent National Electoral Commission is perfectly in order.
He called on the good people of Ekiti State at home and in the diaspora to ignore the self – acclaimed Senatorial candidates unknown by the party.
