The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has excluded the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, following the release of its provisional list of candidates. The PDP’s governorship candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, and his deputy were notably absent from the list posted on Monday at INEC’s office on New Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, despite 12 political parties being cleared to contest the election.
According to the list, the 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 deputy; Akande Oluwasegun of the African Action Congress alongside Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe; and Ayodeji Ojo of the Action Democratic Party with Itunu Ibitoye. Also on the list are Oluwadare Bejide and Paul Olowoyeye of the African Democratic Congress, as well as Bidemi Awogbemi and Akinyemi Adewumi of the Action Peoples Party, while the PDP’s absence is believed to be linked to the party’s ongoing national leadership crisis.