THE Social Democratic Party (SDP) has debunked reports that its candidate, Segun Oni, has withdrawn from the Ekiti State governorship election.
A statement purportedly signed by Oni said the SDP candidate had withdrawn from the election due to alleged illegality of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
But the party dismissed the reports on Saturday morning just as voting was about to commence in Ekiti State.
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A report by TheCable quoted the SDP spokesman, Gani Salau, as debunking the reports and saying the statement in which Oni purportedly announced his withdrawal was “a figment of the imagination of the opposition.”
Salau reportedly said, “Segun Oni is not withdrawing. How can he withdraw on the day of the election? It is the work of opposition.
“We are on the verge of victory and we are going to triumph. It is unfortunate that such letter is being circulated.”
Oni had earlier denied reports that he had struck a deal with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, ahead of the governorship poll.
He denied the reports while addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti.
“Let me say that this is a lie; I have not seen Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for over a year now. I am here for Ekiti people and I will not compromise the interest of Ekiti people for anything,” he said.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M