The Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State has chosen Dr. Wole Oluyede as its governorship candidate after a closely watched primary election in Ado-Ekiti. His emergence now places him at the centre of the party’s push to reclaim power in the state ahead of the 2026 governorship race.
The exercise drew strong participation from party members, with delegates from wards across the state gathering to decide who would fly the PDP flag. The contest also unfolded under heavy security presence, as personnel from multiple agencies were stationed at the venue to maintain order throughout the voting process. Balloting stretched deep into the night before coming to an end in the early hours of Sunday.
When the final figures were announced, Oluyede came out on top with 279 votes. Funso Ayeni followed with 239, while Funmilayo Ogun secured 17 votes. Peter Obafemi, who had initially been in the race, stepped down before the close of the exercise and threw his support behind Oluyede, a move that added momentum to the eventual winner’s camp.
Obafemi explained that his withdrawal was motivated by what he described as the need for unity within the party rather than personal benefit. He praised Oluyede’s character and capacity, expressing confidence that the medical doctor has what it takes to lead the PDP into the main election with strength and credibility.
In his reaction, Oluyede presented the outcome as a shared success for the party rather than an individual triumph. He said the primary should not be seen in terms of winners and losers, but as a democratic process that produced a common candidate for a larger political mission. Gossip News Now reports that he also applauded the conduct of the election and commended the national leadership of the party, including Ambassador Iliya Damagum and Governor Seyi Makinde, for creating what he viewed as a fair environment for the contest.
Looking beyond the primary, Oluyede said his ambition is tied to rebuilding public confidence and challenging the ruling APC in Ekiti. He urged party members and residents to unite behind a common purpose, insisting that the atmosphere of fairness and maturity displayed during the exercise was a sign that a new political chapter may be possible in the state.
Even so, not every voice after the contest was completely satisfied. Although Ayeni congratulated the winner, he also raised concerns about alleged irregularities and said he would consider internal party channels to press his complaints. His reaction suggests that while the PDP has produced a candidate, it still has work to do in managing post-primary grievances and preventing lingering resentment.
The state chairman of the party, Tunji Odeyemi, treated the successful conduct of the primary as an achievement in itself. He noted that some had predicted a crisis, but the party was able to complete the process and produce a flagbearer. He added that the next task is reconciliation, arguing that the PDP must now close ranks and concentrate on the bigger battle of unseating the APC in the governorship election.
Commentary and Analysis
Dr. Oluyede’s emergence gives the PDP a candidate and a fresh rallying point, but the real challenge begins now. Winning a primary is only the first step; transforming that momentum into a united party structure is often the harder task. The close margin between him and Ayeni shows that support within the party was split enough to require careful reconciliation if the PDP wants to avoid internal cracks before the main contest.
The primary also sends a broader message about Ekiti politics. By conducting a competitive election without descending into open collapse, the PDP has given itself an opportunity to project seriousness ahead of 2026. But that advantage will only last if complaints of manipulation are resolved internally and if Oluyede can convert his victory from a delegate success into a wider appeal among ordinary voters across the state.
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