The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has protested at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Ekiti State over the exclusion of two of its senatorial candidates from the commission’s final list for the 2027 general elections.
The protesters, made up of NDC members and supporters of the Obedient Movement, demanded the restoration of Prince Adeyinka Ali, who emerged as the party’s candidate for Ekiti North Senatorial District, and Ayokunle Olusegun, the candidate for Ekiti South.
The protesters said both candidates emerged from the party’s primary election held on May 29, 2026, and that INEC had earlier recognised them as the party’s candidates for the two districts.
They expressed concern that the candidates’ names later disappeared from INEC’s final list, describing the development as unacceptable and a threat to the electoral process.
Speaking on behalf of Olusegun, Adediji Segun said the group visited the commission’s office to demand the reinstatement of both candidates.
He questioned the basis for their exclusion, saying the candidates had invested heavily in the party.
“We want INEC to integrate their names back to the lists. They are the financiers of the party and one person cannot just wake up one day and be deciding for us. We don’t want that.”
Obedient Movement Demands Action
The leader of the Obedient Movement in Ekiti State, Emmanuel Olamidotun, said the group would not accept what it described as injustice against any of the party’s candidates.
Olamidotun called for the expulsion of David Adesua from the NDC, describing him as a “cancer” to the party.
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He also urged the party leadership to respect the outcome of its primary elections and avoid decisions that could undermine its candidates and supporters ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, INEC had previously confirmed Ali and Olusegun as the NDC candidates for Ekiti North and Ekiti South respectively, making their removal from the final list a cause for concern.
NDC Warns of Electoral Consequences
The NDC Publicity Secretary in Ekiti State, Olawale Olatunde, warned that failure to restore the two candidates could damage the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.
“If those names are not returned, Obi should prepare for failure come 2027 general election,” Olatunde said.
The protesters urged INEC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the exclusion and ensure that the candidates who won the party’s primaries appear on the final list.
However, according to Channel Television report, no INEC official received the protesters at the commission’s office, and the electoral body had not issued an official response to the demands as of the time of the report.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.