The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced plans to take legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the exclusion of its governorship candidate, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, from the list of candidates for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, accused INEC of bias, alleging that the commission deliberately blocked access to the nomination portal codes, forcing the party to submit Dr. Oluyede’s forms manually. Despite acknowledging the manual submission, INEC failed to include the candidate’s name on the list.
The PDP emphasized that there is no dispute over the validity of Dr. Oluyede’s nomination, citing INEC’s own monitoring report, which confirmed that the primaries were conducted lawfully and properly. The party described INEC’s failure to include its candidate as a threat to public trust in the electoral process, arguing that the commission’s actions undermine its independence and its role in defending democracy.
The party has vowed to pursue all legal avenues to ensure that Dr. Oluyede’s name appears on the official list of candidates ahead of the polls. By taking this step, the PDP aims to compel INEC to act in accordance with its mandate and uphold the principles of fairness and transparency. The development has significant implications for the upcoming election, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
The PDP’s decision to seek legal redress is seen as a crucial move to protect the rights of its candidate and the party’s supporters. As the matter unfolds, it is likely to attract close attention from stakeholders, including voters, civil society organizations, and the international community. The Ekiti State governorship election is scheduled for 2026, and the PDP is determined to ensure that its candidate is included on the ballot. With the party’s commitment to pursuing legal action, the issue is likely to be resolved through the courts, which will ultimately determine the outcome. The situation highlights the importance of an independent and impartial electoral commission in ensuring the credibility and legitimacy of the electoral process.
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