Dr. Wole Oluyede, PDP candidate for Ekiti 2026, missing from INEC’s governorship election list amid party faction disputes
The name of Dr. Wole Oluyede, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, was missing from the list of particulars released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday.
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The list, posted at the INEC state headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, included 12 other political parties and their respective candidates and running mates.
Oluyede emerged as the PDP flagbearer on November 8, 2025, following a primary conducted by the Aminu Turaki-led National Working Committee of the party.
INEC has stated that it would not recognise the Turaki-led faction until the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP is resolved either amicably or through the courts.
A faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, did not conduct any primary and remains at odds with the Turaki-led group.
The omission of Oluyede’s name underscores the uncertainty surrounding party recognition ahead of the election.
The INEC list included candidates and running mates for the Accord Party, African Action Congress, Action Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, All Progressives Congress, Action People’s Party, Allied People’s Movement, Labour Party, New Nigeria People’s Party, People’s Redemption Party, Young Progressive Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
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Observers note that the PDP’s internal divisions may affect voter confidence and the party’s organisational preparedness as Ekiti State approaches the 2026 governorship election.
