Ekiti PDP faction lists conditions for recognising Oluyede as governorship candidate

By Boye Oyeyemi

Pro-Wike faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State has set conditions for recognising Dr Wole Oluyede as its candidate for the June 20, 2026 governorship election.

The group, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, made its position known on Friday during a press briefing in Ado Ekiti.

Addressing newsmen, the faction’s State Chairman , Lanre Omolase, who claimed legitimacy based on court rulings and a ratified congress, said Oluyede had not been formally recognised by the party structure.

Omolase explained that the faction remained the authentic leadership of the party in the state and would only acknowledge candidates who align with its structure.

He said, “We wish to inform Nigerians and the people of Ekiti State that Dr Oluwole Oluyede is currently aligned with the Turaki-led group, which has been restrained from presenting itself as the national leadership of the PDP.”

Oluyede, who emerged from the Taminu Turaki-led faction, had earlier secured validation of his nomination by the Court of Appeal, while reports also indicated he recently met Wike in Abuja, a move his campaign organisation, through its spokesman, Idowu Adelusi, described as an avenue to strengthen unity within the party ahead of the governorship poll.

However, Omolase maintained that such moves were insufficient without formal alignment with the recognised party leadership, adding that, “Should Dr Oluyede wish to contest under the PDP, he must submit himself fully to the party’s leadership and reintegrate his structure from the ward to the state level.”

Western Post confirmed that no verified response from Oluyede was available at the time of reportage