Sh*ck As PDP, SDP Candidates Vanish From INEC’s Final List For Ekiti Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final roster of candidates for the Ekiti State governorship election slated for June 20, 2026, a list that conspicuously excludes nominees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to the document released by the commission, the cleared candidates include Opeyemi Falegan of the Accord Party; Akande Oluwasegun of the African Action Congress (AAC); Ayodeji Ojo of the Action Democratic Party (ADP); Oluwadare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC); and Bidemi Awogbemi of the Action People’s Party (APP).

Notably absent are Wole Oluyede, the PDP flagbearer, and David Bankole of the SDP.

INEC had earlier left out Oluyede’s name when it unveiled the provisional list of candidates at its Ado-Ekiti office in December 2025. This followed a ruling by the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti on January 13, which invalidated the PDP governorship primary that produced him. The court directed the party to conduct a fresh primary election in accordance with the law and its internal regulations.

Oluyede, a medical doctor, had emerged from the PDP primary held in November 2025 after securing 279 votes, edging out his closest challenger, Funso Ayeni, who garnered 239 votes during the exercise organised by the party’s National Working Committee.

The exclusion comes against the backdrop of a worsening leadership crisis within the PDP, which has split the party into opposing camps. One faction is aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, while the other is loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

In a related development last month, INEC declined to recognise the PDP National Working Committee led by Kabiru Turaki, citing conflicting court rulings. The commission said it would not amend its records on the party’s leadership until all legal challenges arising from the PDP’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November are resolved.

With the PDP and SDP now out of the race, six political parties will contest the Ekiti governorship election as preparations intensify for the off-cycle poll. INEC has reiterated its commitment to operating strictly within the bounds of court decisions and existing electoral laws throughout the process.