The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on December 30, 2025, released the provisional list of candidates for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, excluding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, who won the party’s primary on November 8, 2025.
INEC said the omission is due to the ongoing national leadership crisis within the PDP, which has split the party into two factions led by Aminu Turaki and Abdulrahman Muhammed. The dispute is currently before the courts, and INEC stated it will not recognize or list a PDP candidate until there is judicial clarity.
The provisional list contains 12 candidates from other political parties, including incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his deputy, Monisade Afuye, as well as candidates from parties such as Accord, AAC, and ADP.
INEC advised the public to inspect the candidates’ details at its offices across Ekiti State. Political parties have until January 12, 2026, to replace withdrawn candidates, while the final list will be published on January 19, 2026.
