The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has excluded the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the provisional list of candidates for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
The name of the PDP’s governorship candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, and his running mate was conspicuously absent when INEC on Monday displayed the list of candidates from 12 political parties at its state office on New Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti.
According to the provisional list, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is fielding the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, with the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, as his running mate.
Other parties cleared to contest the election include the Accord Party, which has Opeyemi Falegan as its candidate and Omoyemi Olaleye as deputy; the African Action Congress (AAC), featuring Akande Oluwasegun and Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe; and the Action Democratic Party (ADP), with Ayodeji Ojo and Itunu Ibitoye.
Also listed are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), presenting Oluwadare Bejide with Paul Olowoyeye as running mate, and the Action Peoples Party (APP), which is fielding Bidemi Awogbemi alongside Akinyemi Adewumi.
INEC did not immediately state the reason for the PDP’s exclusion.
However, the development is believed to be linked to the lingering leadership crisis within the party at the national level, which has affected its internal processes in several states.
The commission noted that the list remains provisional, pending the resolution of any disputes and compliance with electoral guidelines.
