INEC SNUBS PDP, SDP CANDIDATES IN EKITI GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

INEC SNUBS PDP, SDP CANDIDATES IN EKITI GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

By Opima RealNews Correspondent

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have formally protested their exclusion from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) final list of candidates for the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.

INEC published the final list of gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidates on January 19, 2026, at its Ado-Ekiti office. 

However, the names of the PDP’s candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, and the SDP’s candidate, David Bankole, were omitted from the official list that includes 12 other political parties cleared to contest the election.

According to reports, the exclusion is linked to ongoing legal and internal party disputes — particularly within the PDP — which have prevented the party from securing an uncontested nomination status before INEC’s final deadline. 

A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti recently nullified the PDP governorship primary that produced Oluyede, ordering a fresh exercise after finding irregularities in the original process.

Party sources also indicate that unresolved court cases and leadership crises at the national level have complicated INEC’s decision on which faction of the PDP it recognises, contributing to the non-inclusion of its candidate on the final list.

The PDP has condemned the exclusion, describing it as unlawful and undemocratic. The party’s spokesperson said it has filed two separate court actions — one seeking a stay of execution and appeal against the court judgment that voided its primary, and another to compel INEC to publish Oluyede’s name as its flagship candidate. The party reaffirmed its intention to participate in the June poll and appealed to members to remain calm.

In addition, prominent PDP figures have accused political opponents — particularly the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) — and elements within INEC of influencing the exclusion.

The SDP state chairman has expressed shock at the omission of its candidate despite compliance with all electoral procedures. The party says it is consulting legal counsel to explore all possible avenues for redress.

With PDP and SDP missing from the final list, 12 other parties — including the APC, Labour Party (LP), Accord Party, and others — are officially cleared to contest the governorship race. Campaign activities by the cleared parties are expected to progress across the state’s 16 local councils.

Meanwhile, the legal battle over the eligibility of the excluded candidates is likely to continue in court before the June 20 poll, leaving significant political uncertainty as the election draws closer.