Ekiti governorship: INEC excludes PDP candidate from final list

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of 12 candidates qualified to contest the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026.

Notably missing from the list is the name of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede.

Those cleared by INEC include Falegan Opeyemi David of Accord; Akande Oluwaseun Samuel of AAC; Bejide Oluwadare Patrick of ADC; Oyebanji Abiodun Abayomi of the APC; Osinkolu Olusegun Ayodele of the YPP; and Abegunde Ayobami Blessing of the NNPP, among others.

Reacting to the development, Gani Salau, special adviser on media to Dr Oluyede, said the list released by INEC should not be regarded as final.

According to him, the PDP candidate has instituted a case at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order of mandamus compelling INEC to publish Dr Oluyede’s name.

He said INEC had received the candidate’s name following the November 8 governorship primary election, which he noted was monitored and supervised by the commission, adding that INEC had also sworn to an affidavit confirming Dr Oluyede’s candidature.

Salau added that the court has the power to compel INEC, noting that Ekiti State would not be the first to witness such judicial intervention.

He urged PDP members and residents of the state to remain calm and continue to monitor developments, expressing optimism that the party and its candidate would secure a favourable judgement.

When Dr Oluyede’s name was earlier excluded from the preliminary list, the PDP had threatened legal action against INEC, accusing the electoral body of bias.

However, before the release of the final list by INEC, a Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, nullified the PDP primaries, which was held on November 8, where Dr Oluyede emerged the party’s candidate.

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