By Ogochukwu Isioma
The candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the June 20 2026 Ekiti state governorship election, Dr. Wole Oluyede, and his running mate were conspicuously absent as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the provisional list of party candidates ahead of the election.
INEC on Monday published the list of candidates from 12 political parties vying for the state’s top job at its office on New Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The list shows that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is fielding the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, with Monisade Afuye as his running mate.
Other candidates include Opeyemi Falegan of the Accord Party, with Omoyemi Olaleye as running mate; Akande Oluwasegun of the African Action Congress, paired with Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe; and Ayodeji Ojo of the Action Democratic Party, with Itunu Ibitoye as running mate.
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress is presenting Oluwadare Bejide and Paul Olowoyeye, while the Action Peoples Party has Bidemi Awogbemi and Akinyemi Adewumi on its ticket.
The PDP’s absence may not be unconnected with the leadership crisis currently rocking the hitherto biggest party in Africa party at the national level.
INEC currently does not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP elected in November over ongoing court cases bordering on the party’s leadership, which are yet to be resolved.
