By Law Ibitoye
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr. Wole Oluyede, has condemned the omission of his name from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) provisional list of candidates for the 2026 governorship election, describing it as an attempt to disenfranchise a duly nominated candidate.
Speaking at a press conference in Ikere-Ekiti on Wednesday, Oluyede said INEC officials monitored the PDP governorship primary and recognised him as the party’s candidate, stressing that the commission had no basis to exclude his name.
“It is shocking and unacceptable that my name is missing from INEC’s list when the commission monitored our primary election and raised no objection. INEC has no right to disenfranchise me or PDP members who participated in that process,” he said.
Oluyede urged his supporters to remain calm, assuring them that the issue would be resolved through due process. He disclosed that he was already consulting with the PDP leadership at both state and national levels on the next steps.
The PDP candidate also cautioned against any attempt by the ruling party to influence the electoral process, insisting that no party should be allowed to choose its opponents.
INEC had released the provisional list of candidates on Tuesday, sparking controversy over the absence of the PDP candidate’s name. The omission is believed to be linked to the lingering leadership dispute within the PDP at the national level during the conduct of the party’s primary.
However, PDP insiders maintain that the primary election complied with the Electoral Act and due process, insisting that internal party issues should not invalidate the will of party members.
As consultations continue, observers say the coming days will determine whether INEC will amend the list or the matter will be resolved through political or legal means ahead of the 2026 governorship election.