PDP SDP Aspirants Absent as INEC Publishes Final Candidate List for Ekiti Governorship Election

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued the final list of candidates for the Ekiti State governorship election slated for June 20, 2026, with contenders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) conspicuously missing.

According to the list released by the electoral body, the approved candidates include Opeyemi Falegan of the Accord Party; Akande Oluwasegun representing the African Action Congress; Ayodeji Ojo of the Action Democratic Party; Oluwadare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress; the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC); and Bidemi Awogbemi of the Action People’s Party.

Notably absent from the final lineup are Wole Oluyede of the PDP and David Bankole of the SDP.

Court Ruling Voids PDP Primary

INEC had previously excluded Oluyede’s name from the provisional list displayed at its Ado-Ekiti office in December 2025.

This followed a ruling delivered on January 13 by a Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, which invalidated the PDP governorship primary election that produced Oluyede as the party’s candidate.

The court directed the PDP to conduct a fresh primary election in accordance with electoral laws and the party’s constitution.

Oluyede, a medical doctor, had emerged as the PDP flagbearer in November 2025 after securing 279 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Funso Ayeni, who garnered 239 votes during the primary organised by the party’s National Working Committee.

Leadership Crisis Worsens in PDP

The latest development comes against the backdrop of an escalating leadership crisis within the PDP, which has split the party into two opposing camps.

One faction is aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, while the rival group is loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

In December, INEC declined a request to recognise the PDP National Working Committee led by Kabiru Turaki, which is backed by Makinde and Mohammed.

The commission cited conflicting court rulings and stated that it would not amend its records on the party’s leadership until all legal disputes surrounding the PDP’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November are fully resolved.

Ekiti Election Countdown Begins

With the exclusion of candidates from the PDP and SDP, six political parties will now contest the Ekiti governorship seat as preparations intensify for the off-cycle election scheduled for June 20, 2026.

INEC reiterated its commitment to complying strictly with court judgments and existing legal provisions in the conduct of the electoral process.