The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the list of candidates for the June 20, 2026, governorship election in Ekiti State.
The list, pasted on Monday at INEC headquarters in Ado‑Ekiti, the state capital, contains the names of candidates and running mates from 12 political parties.
Candidates on the list include Opeyemi Falegan (Accord Party), Akande Oluwasegun (African Action Congress), Ayodeji Ojo (Action Democratic Party), Oluwadare Bejide (African Democratic Congress), Biodun Oyebanji (All Progressives Congress), and Bidemi Awogbemi (Action People’s Party).
Others are Joseph Anifowose (Allied People’s Movement), Oyebanji Olajuyin (Labour Party), Blessing Abegunde (New Nigeria People’s Party), Olaniyi Ayodele (People’s Redemption Party), Owoola Daramola (Young Progressive Party), and Victor Adetunji (Zenith Labour Party).
PDP Candidate Excluded
Notably absent from the list is Wole Oluyede, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Oluyede, a medical expert, was elected PDP gubernatorial candidate in November after securing 279 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Funso Ayeni, who received 239 votes. The primary was conducted by the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) backed by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The PDP has been grappling with a leadership crisis that has split the party into factions. One camp is backed by Makinde and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, while another is aligned with Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Last week, INEC rejected a request to recognize the NWC chaired by Kabiru Turaki, which has the backing of Makinde and Mohammed.
The electoral commission cited multiple court judgments for its decision, stressing that it would not update its records to reflect any change in the opposition party’s national leadership until ongoing cases challenging the party’s national convention, held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November, are resolved.
The electoral umpire’s decision could be a significant setback for the main opposition party, which have lost several of its high-profile political office holders to the ruling party, is eager to shore up its image as a strong, virile and formidable contender as general election in 2027 approach.
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