The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been left out of the race for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, following the release of the provisional list of candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
When INEC displayed the list on Monday at its office on New Iyin Road in Ado-Ekiti, the names of the PDP’s governorship candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, and his running mate were noticeably missing.
INEC listed candidates from 12 political parties cleared to contest the election. The All Progressives Congress (APC) will once again present the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, with Monisade Afuye as his deputy.
Other parties on the ballot include the Accord Party, which is fielding Opeyemi Falegan and Omoyemi Olaleye; the African Action Congress with Akande Oluwasegun and Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe; and the Action Democratic Party, represented by Ayodeji Ojo and Itunu Ibitoye.
The African Democratic Congress is presenting Oluwadare Bejide alongside Paul Olowoyeye, while the Action Peoples Party has nominated Bidemi Awogbemi with Akinyemi Adewumi as running mate.
Sources say the PDP’s absence from the list may be connected to the leadership crisis currently troubling the party at the national level, which has continued to affect its activities across several states.
