The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the provisional list of candidates for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026, but the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, is missing.
INEC displayed the list on Monday, December 29, 2025, at its state headquarters along New Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti. The list contains governorship candidates and their running mates from 12 political parties. Incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is seeking re-election, appears at the top of the list alongside his deputy, Monisade Afuye.
Other cleared candidates include Opeyemi Falegan of the Accord Party with Omoyemi Olaleye; Akande Oluwasegun of the African Action Congress with Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe; Ayodeji Ojo of the Action Democratic Party with Itunu Ibitoye; and Oluwadare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress with Paul Olowoyeye.
Also listed are Bidemi Awogbemi of the Action People’s Party with Akinyemi Adewumi; 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 with Adesina Oyeniyi.
Dr Oluyede, a medical doctor, emerged as PDP candidate after winning the party’s primary election in November 2025 with 279 votes, defeating Funso Ayeni, who polled 239 votes. The primary was organised by the PDP National Working Committee backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
INEC sources say his omission is linked to unresolved legal disputes over the PDP’s national leadership. The party is currently divided between factions aligned with Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and another faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
INEC recently declined to recognise the National Working Committee led by Kabiru Turaki, citing conflicting court judgements. The commission said it would not update its records on PDP leadership until all disputes arising from the party’s November convention in Ibadan are resolved.
The development casts doubt on the PDP’s participation in the Ekiti election, despite the party’s strong electoral history in the state. Governor Oyebanji, who assumed office in October 2022, has secured the APC ticket through consensus and is aiming for a second term, a rare achievement in Ekiti politics where no governor has been re-elected consecutively since 1999.
INEC stated that the provisional list will be reviewed on January 19, 2026, in line with the Electoral Act 2022, allowing time for substitutions and resolution of outstanding legal issues. Political observers warn that the PDP’s internal crisis could weaken the opposition and give the ruling APC a significant advantage as the election draws closer.