The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates for the June 20, 2026, governorship election in Ekiti State, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Wole Oluyede, omitted.
According to the list published by the electoral body, the candidates cleared to contest the election 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.
READ ALSO: Jubilation as Former Ekiti Governor Segun Oni Defects to APC
INEC also excluded David Bankole, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), from the final list.
The PDP candidate had earlier been left out when INEC posted the provisional list of candidates at its office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, in December 2025.
Court Nullifies PDP Ekiti Governorship Primary
On January 13, a Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti nullified the PDP governorship primary that produced Oluyede and ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary election in line with the law and its internal guidelines.
READ ALSO: INEC Rejects Turaki-Led PDP NWC Over Court Judgments
Oluyede, a medical practitioner, emerged as the PDP governorship candidate in November after securing 279 votes to defeat Funso Ayeni, who polled 239 votes.
The primary election was conducted by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and backed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
The PDP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis that has split the party into factions. One faction is backed by Makinde and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, while the other is aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Last month, INEC declined to recognise the NWC chaired by Kabiru Turaki, which is supported by Makinde and Mohammed.
The commission said its decision was based on multiple court judgements, adding that it would not update its records to reflect any change in the party’s national leadership pending the resolution of cases challenging the national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
