The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, Oluwole Oluyede, has expressed his intention to challenge his exclusion from the list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Oluyede made this known during a press conference in Ikere-Ekiti, his hometown, where he argued that INEC lacks the constitutional authority to omit his name from the list. He emphasized that the electoral body had supervised the PDP governorship primary and had even acknowledged his candidacy in court documents.
According to Oluyede, his emergence as the PDP candidate was witnessed by INEC, which supervised the primary election and wrote a report. He noted that there is no court order or injunction barring him from contesting the election. Oluyede maintained that the responsibility for determining a party’s nominee rests with the political parties themselves, and not with INEC. He is currently consulting with stakeholders, including INEC and party leaders, to determine the next steps to take.
The PDP candidate described the development as shocking, given that INEC had monitored the primary election. He argued that attempts to prevent candidates from contesting are undemocratic and deny voters their right to choose their leaders. Oluyede reaffirmed his confidence in the PDP, stating that the party has resolved its internal challenges and is united and prepared to win the upcoming governorship election in Ekiti State.
The exclusion of Oluyede’s name from the list of candidates has sparked concerns about the democratic process in Nigeria. The country has a history of electoral disputes, and the upcoming Ekiti State governorship election is seen as a crucial test of the electoral system. Oluyede’s decision to challenge his exclusion is likely to be closely watched, as it may have implications for the credibility of the election.
As the situation unfolds, Oluyede has assured his supporters that there is no cause for alarm, and he remains confident of being on the ballot. The development is a reminder of the importance of transparent and inclusive electoral processes, and the need for electoral bodies to ensure that all candidates are given a fair chance to participate. With the election approaching, the outcome of Oluyede’s challenge will be closely monitored, and its impact on the democratic process in Nigeria will be keenly observed.