The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State has urged residents to reject candidates from political parties recently branded as “terrorist organisations” by a Canadian court in Saturday’s bye-election.
In a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan, the state capital, SDP Chairman Michael Ogunlade warned that supporting such parties would perpetuate electoral violence and impunity.
The bye-election follows the death of two-term House of Representatives member Musiliudeen Akinremi, popularly known as Jagaban, who represented Ibadan North Federal Constituency until his passing in 2024.
Ogunlade cited a landmark ruling by a Federal Court in Ottawa, Canada, which reportedly classified Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as terrorist groups over alleged ballot box snatching, intimidation, and violence during elections.
“This verdict confirms what civil society and opposition voices have been saying for years — that elections under APC and PDP have been characterised by fear, bloodshed, and corruption,” Ogunlade said. “Voting for these parties tomorrow is a vote for impunity. The world is watching us.”
The SDP chairman stressed that the party has maintained an issue-based campaign free of thuggery and urged Nigerians to choose candidates with integrity and a genuine commitment to peaceful democracy. He added that SDP aspirants had signed a peace pledge to ensure a violence-free election.
Ogunlade also called on security agencies to remain impartial, protect voters from intimidation, and ensure a credible process. “Any attempt to manipulate the polls or condone violence will damage Nigeria’s international standing, especially in the wake of the Canadian court’s judgment,” he said.
