BREAKING: PDP missing as INEC displays Ekiti governorship candidates

By Boye Oyeyemi –

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the names and details of candidates for the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) conspicuously missing from the list.

Findings at the INEC state headquarters along Iyin-Ekiti Road, Ado-Ekiti, on Monday showed that the names of the PDP governorship candidate and running mate were not among those displayed by the commission.

The PDP had earlier produced Dr Wole Oluyede as its governorship candidate during a primary election held on November 8, 2025, under the Aminu Turaki-led National Working Committee.

However, INEC officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the omission to the lingering leadership crisis within the PDP at the national level.

The sources said the existence of parallel factions and multiple court cases over party leadership had affected the submission and recognition of candidates’ details.

INEC displayed particulars of 12 governorship candidates and their deputies drawn from parties including the APC, Labour Party, NNPP, ADC, AAC and others.

The commission is yet to issue an official statement on the PDP’s exclusion as political stakeholders await further clarification ahead of the election.

Below are the Ekiti 2026 governorship candidates and their deputies:

1. Accord Party – Opeyemi Falegan (41)
   Omoyemi Olaleye (42)
2. African Action Congress – Akande Oluwasegun (36)
   Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe
3. Action Democratic Party – Ayodeji Ojo (42)
   Itunu Ibitoye (35)
4. African Democratic Congress (ADC) – Oluwadare Bejide (66)
   Paul Olowoyeye (52)
5. All Progressives Congress (APC) – Biodun Oyebanji (58)
   Monisade Afuye (67)
6. Action People’s Party – Bidemi Awogbemi (36)
   Akinyemi Adewumi (53)
7. Allied People’s Movement – Joseph Anifowose (65)
   Margaret Ilesanmi (68)
8. Labour Party (LP) – Oyebanji Olajuyin (67)
   Ayokunle Okumade (45)
9. New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) – Blessing Abegunde (35)
   Francis Ajayi (65)
10. People’s Redemption Party (PRP) – Olaniyi Ayodele (49)
    Modupe Adebiyi (35)
11. Young Progressive Party (YPP) – Owoola Daramola (54)
    Opeyemi Adeyemo (51)
12. Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) – Victor Adetunji (38)
    Adesina Oyeniyi (35)