CLAIM: The Nation Newspaper claimed (archived) that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has withdrawn support for its governorship candidate, Peter Obafemi, and adopted incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Similar claims were shared on Facebook (see here, here, and here)
FINDINGS: The Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition (NFC) found several reports stating that the SDP, at the state level, has rallied support and aligned its structure with the APC to support the governor’s re-election bid.
However, in a statement reported by TVC News and The Independent Newspaper, the SDP national leadership publicly distanced itself from the statement. The National Organising Secretary, Dr Uchechukwu Chukwuma Ogbonna, assured members of the party that they remain behind the party’s candidate, Peter Olugbenga Obafemi.
Obafemi also reaffirmed his position as one of the people’s options at the polls. He said this while discussing his plans for the people of Ekiti on the TVC News YouTube page on Thursday, 18 June 2026.
Despite the intra-party dispute in SDP, INEC told the NFC that the party remains on the ballot and that votes cast for the party will be recorded.
VERDICT: MISLEADING
SOURCE: TVC News, The Independent Newspaper and INEC
DATE: June 19, 2026
FACT CHECK AUTHOR: Muktar Balogun
EDITORS: Bamas Victoria & Lois Ugbede