A wave of outrage has erupted in Oyo State following the omission of Dr. Islamiyat Oluwatoyin Abdulkadir, the youngest known contestant and a medical doctor, from the final list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the August 16 bye-election in Ibadan North Federal Constituency.
Dr. Abdulkadir, who emerged as the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate after winning the party’s House of Representatives primary, submitted all required documents, including the INEC EC13D Nomination Form and affidavit in support of personal particulars. Her voter registration details, party sponsorship, and educational qualifications, including a degree in Medicine and Surgery from International University of the Americas, were properly documented.
Despite this, her name was noticeably missing from the official final list released by INEC earlier this week, which included only five candidates from the APC, PDP, APGA, ADC, and ZLP.
Multiple documents reviewed by OYO MIND confirm her candidacy:
INEC EC13D nomination form bearing her full name
Affidavit of personal particulars indicating her interest in the Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat
Expression of interest and nomination forms filled and submitted to the SDP
Confirmation of her primary election victory under the SDP banner
Dr. Abdulkadir, a practicing physician, would have been the youngest candidate in the race, and the only female medical doctor contesting in the bye-election. Her omission has sparked serious concern among civil society groups, youth activists, and SDP loyalists who are now demanding explanations from both INEC and the SDP leadership.
Legal experts warn that if her exclusion was not communicated or properly justified, it could amount to electoral malpractice or violation of constitutional rights, particularly if all required documents were submitted before the official deadline.
With the bye-election just weeks away, calls are mounting for INEC to urgently clarify the status of Dr. Abdulkadir’s nomination and for the SDP to publicly state its position on the controversy. Many argue that her candidacy symbolized hope for youth, women, and professional representation in Nigerian politics.
