The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the personal particulars and details of governorship candidates contesting the 2026 Ekiti State election.
A visit by a Nigerian Tribune correspondent to the INEC state headquarters along the new Iyin–Ekiti Road in Ado-Ekiti on Monday revealed that the names and particulars of twelve governorship candidates and their respective running mates were conspicuously displayed at the entrance of the electoral umpire’s office.
According to the list made public, the incumbent governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji (58), and his deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye (67), were listed as the governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the June 20, 2026 election.
Other candidates on the list include those of the Accord Party, Opeyemi Falegan (41) and Omoyemi Olaleye (42); the African Action Congress (AAC), Akande Oluwasegun (36) with Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe as running mate; the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Ayodeji Ojo (42) and Itunu Ibitoye (35); the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Oluwadare Bejide (66) and Paul Olowoyeye (52); the Action People’s Party (APP), Bidemi Awogbemi (36) and Akinyemi Adewumi (53); and the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Joseph Anifowose (65) with Margaret Ilesanmi (68).
Also listed were the Labour Party (LP) candidates, Oyebanji Olajuyin (67) and Ayokunle Okumade (45); the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Blessing Abegunde (35) and Francis Ajayi (65); the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Olaniyi Ayodele (49) and Modupe Adebiyi (35); the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Owoola Daramola (54) and Opeyemi Adeyemo (51); as well as the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), which presented Victor Adetunji (38) and Adesina Oyeniyi (35).
However, it was observed that the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and his running mate were conspicuously absent from the list released by INEC.
It would be recalled that a renowned medical expert, Dr Wole Oluyede, emerged as the PDP governorship candidate during the party’s primary election held on November 8.
A credible source within INEC told Nigerian Tribune that the omission of the PDP candidate was linked to the lingering leadership crisis at the party’s national headquarters, with two factions laying claim to the party’s leadership.
The source added that the commission was aware of the various litigations in court over the PDP crisis and would not take any action until otherwise directed by the judiciary.
The crisis has split the party into two camps, one led by Aminu Turaki, SAN, and backed by the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, alongside other PDP governors; and the other faction led by Abdulrahman Muhammed, aligned with the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Speaking with Nigerian Tribune, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, explained that the release of the names and personal particulars of candidates was in compliance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.
He urged voters in the state to visit INEC offices to scrutinise the candidates’ details and make any necessary observations ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
According to the timetable released by the commission, political parties have until January 12, 2026, to replace candidates who withdraw from the race, while the final list of candidates is expected to be published on January 19, 2026.
