OSOGBO / ABUJA — As political momentum builds ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has issued a stern warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary, urging them to resist attempts by former, suspended, or expelled members to parade themselves as legitimate party representatives.

The party’s leadership urged the electoral umpire and judicial officers to adhere strictly to the SDP constitution and settled judicial precedents, warning that entertaining unauthorized factions or expelled officers risks sabotaging party democracy and causing unnecessary legal friction ahead of the August poll.

Key Demands and Party Position

In a statement addressing the political developments and ongoing preparations for the Osun governorship race, the SDP reiterated that its legitimate National Working Committee (NWC) remains the sole constitutional body authorized to conduct party affairs, submit candidate lists, and correspond with electoral authorities.

The SDP highlighted several key positions:

  • Strict Adherence to INEC Records: The party called on INEC to fully respect subsisting court rulings and internal party disciplinary actions by completely disengaging from ousted or suspended figures.

  • Judicial Neutrality & Precedent: The SDP reminded the judiciary of binding Supreme Court decisions affirming that political parties maintain exclusive jurisdiction over their internal leadership and membership affairs.

  • Protection of Electoral Integrity: The party warned that recognizing parallel factions or expelled individuals could mislead the electorate and destabilize party structures in Osun State ahead of candidate nomination deadlines.

"INEC and the judiciary must remain vigilant against political impostors trying to exploit judicial processes to gain illegal leverage. The leadership of the SDP is intact, and only decisions originating from the recognized National Working Committee carry legal weight."

Focus on Osun 2026

With stakeholder preparations intensifying for the Osun State governorship election, the SDP reassured its grassroots supporters across the three senatorial districts that the party remains united and legally fortified.

Party officials emphasized that the SDP is actively positioning itself as a strong, credible alternative in Osun State, cautioning that internal meddling by former executives would not be tolerated or allowed to derail its electoral strategy.

INEC has yet to issue a formal response to the party’s warning, but political observers note that candidate recognition disputes will be a crucial test of electoral administration as the state prepares for the ballot.