By Ayo Kehinde
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was a notable omission as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday, December 29, 2025, unveiled the provisional list of candidates for the June 20, 2026, Ekiti State governorship election.
The list features candidates and running mates from 12 political parties.
The document was displayed at the INEC state office along New Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti, marking the formal commencement of the final phase of preparations for the off-cycle poll.
According to the list, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is fielding the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, 58, alongside his deputy, Monisade Afuye, 67.
Other candidates featured on the provisional list include Opeyemi Falegan and Omoyemi Olaleye of the Accord Party (AP); Akande Oluwasegun and Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe of the African Action Congress (AAC); Ayodeji Ojo and Itunu Ibitoye of the Action Democratic Party (ADP); and Oluwadare Bejide and Paul Olowoyeye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The list also includes Bidemi Awogbemi and Akinyemi Adewumi of the Action People’s Party (APP); Joseph Anifowose and Margaret Ilesanmi of the Allied People’s Movement (APM); Oyebanji Olajuyin and Ayokunle Okumade of the Labour Party (LP); Blessing Abegunde and Francis Ajayi of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP); Olaniyi Ayodele and Modupe Adebiyi of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP); Owoola Daramola and Opeyemi Adeyemo of the Young Progressive Party (YPP); and Victor Adetunji alongside Adesina Oyeniyi of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
However, the names of the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, and his running mate were missing from the publication.
An impeccable source at the INEC office disclosed that the PDP candidates were excluded due to unresolved court cases regarding the party’s leadership.
The source noted that the commission would only include the party on the final list once the legal disputes are conclusively settled in accordance with the Electoral Act.
The the exclusion of the main opposition party has caused a stir in the state’s political circles, with the PDP leadership expected to address the matter in the coming days as the window for substitution and legal resolution remains open.
