The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially published the final roster of candidates and their running mates for the upcoming Ekiti State governorship election, scheduled for June 20, 2026. In a significant development, the list conspicuously excludes the standard-bearers of two major opposition parties: the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Leadership Crises and Court Cases Lead to Omission
INEC, in its publication on Monday, January 20, 2026, confirmed the absence of the PDP's candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, and his running mate, as well as the SDP's candidate, David Bankole, and his deputy. The electoral umpire attributed this decisive action to unresolved internal leadership conflicts and ongoing litigation within both political parties.
Sources within INEC, speaking anonymously, clarified that the PDP's exclusion stems directly from its protracted national leadership crisis. This turmoil has spawned multiple court cases and rival factions, each claiming legitimate control of the party, creating a legal impasse for the commission. For the SDP, a similar scenario of internal disputes and legal challenges was cited as the barrier to inclusion.
The final list showed minimal changes from the provisional version released on December 29, 2025, with the notable exception of the Young People's Party (YPP). The YPP altered its ticket, replacing former candidate Owoola Daramola and running mate Opeyemi Adeyemo with Osinkolu Ayodele as governorship candidate and Arowolo Olusesan as his deputy.
Affected Parties Reject INEC's Decision, Head to Court
Both the PDP and SDP have vehemently rejected INEC's move and are preparing for a legal showdown to secure their places on the ballot. Dr. Wole Oluyede, who emerged from a primary described as transparent and credible, insists he remains the PDP's lawful candidate.
Through a spokesperson, Oluyede disclosed that he has already approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order of mandamus to compel INEC to publish his name. He urged party supporters and residents of Ekiti to remain calm, expressing confidence in a favorable judicial outcome.
Echoing this stance, PDP spokesperson Gani Salau confirmed the party has filed two separate court cases. One seeks a stay of execution against any order for fresh primaries, while the other directly requests INEC to include Oluyede's name on the list.
Similarly, the SDP State Chairman, Ayodele Bamikole, declared that the party would exhaust all legal avenues to ensure the reinstatement of its candidate, David Bankole.
Cleared Candidates and the Road Ahead
While the PDP and SDP fight their battles in court, INEC has cleared candidates from several other political parties to contest the June 20 election. The confirmed list includes:
- APC: Biodun Oyebanji / Monisade Afuye
- Labour Party: Oyebanji Olajuyin / Ayokunle Okumade
- Accord Party: Opeyemi Falegan / Omoyemi Olaleye
- ADC: Oluwadare Bejide / Paul Olowoyeye
- NNPP: Blessing Abegunde / Francis Ajayi
- PRP: Olaniyi Ayodele / Modupe Adebiyi
- YPP: Osinkolu Ayodele / Arowolo Olusesan
- ZLP: Victor Adetunji / Adesina Oyeniyi
The stage is now set for a tense pre-election period in Ekiti State, where legal proceedings are poised to play a critical role in determining the final lineup for the governorship race. The outcome of the impending court cases will be crucial in shaping the political landscape and the choices available to Ekiti voters on election day.
