INEC Publishes Ekiti Governorship Candidates PDP Flagbearer Missing

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the list of candidates cleared to contest the June 20, 2026, Ekiti State governorship election, with a notable omission from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The list was displayed on Monday at INEC’s state headquarters in Ado-Ekiti and features governorship candidates and their running mates from 12 political parties approved to participate in the election.

Among those listed are Opeyemi Falegan of the Accord Party, Akande Oluwasegun of the African Action Congress, Ayodeji Ojo of the Action Democratic Party, Oluwadare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress, Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress, and Bidemi Awogbemi of the Action People’s Party.

Other candidates include Joseph Anifowose of the Allied People’s Movement, Oyebanji Olajuyin of the Labour Party, Blessing Abegunde of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Olaniyi Ayodele of the People’s Redemption Party, Owoola Daramola of the Young Progressive Party, and Victor Adetunji of the Zenith Labour Party.

Conspicuously absent from the list, however, is the PDP’s governorship candidate, Wole Oluyede.

Oluyede, a medical practitioner, emerged as the PDP flagbearer during the party’s primary election held in November, where he secured 279 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Funso Ayeni, who polled 239 votes. The primary was organised by the PDP National Working Committee with the backing of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

The PDP has since been engulfed in a prolonged leadership crisis that has split the party into rival factions — one aligned with Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and another loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Last week, INEC declined a request to recognise the National Working Committee led by Kabiru Turaki, which is supported by the Makinde-Mohammed faction.

The electoral body cited existing court rulings, explaining that it would not amend its records or acknowledge changes to the PDP’s national leadership until all pending legal disputes arising from the party’s November national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, are resolved.