The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Dr Wole Oluyede, has alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is responsible for his exclusion from the provisional list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the June 20, 2026 governorship election.

Speaking with journalists on Thursday at his country home in Ikere-Ekiti, Oluyede described his omission as surprising, insisting that his emergence as the PDP candidate was duly monitored and supervised by INEC.

The governorship aspirant explained that although legal suits were filed challenging the party’s primary election, INEC officials had deposed to affidavits in court confirming that he was the duly elected candidate of the party.

“In actual fact, there have been suits against the election and INEC came to swear affidavit that I was the candidate of the party. I am not aware of any reason that should preclude me from the election,” he said.

Oluyede maintained that there was no court injunction or order restraining him or the PDP from participating in the election, arguing that INEC does not have the constitutional power to determine who emerges as a party’s nominee.

“As far as I know, there is no court injunction, there is no court order that should preclude me from the election. I don’t think INEC is in a position to determine who should be the nominee of a party. They haven’t been doing that before and I don’t know why this is happening,” he said.

He disclosed that he had commenced consultations with party stakeholders and would also engage the electoral body formally to demand explanations for the action.

Reassuring his supporters across the state, the PDP candidate urged them not to panic, expressing confidence that he would participate in the governorship poll and feature on the final ballot.

“I want to reassure my supporters that I am going to be the next governor of Ekiti State, which means I am going to be on the next ballot. This is a normal process of elections. People will play games, but it is a game of futility that will not go anywhere,” he said.

He warned against attempts to exclude candidates through what he described as political manoeuvres, noting that elections should be based on the will of the people.

“My advice to those trying to preclude others from contesting is that it is not the right way. Elections are meant to give people the opportunity to choose their government. If you are confident in your performance or capacity to govern, then you should have the confidence to face the electorate,” Oluyede said.

However, the Ekiti state Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe dismissed the allegations, describing the claim as baseless and a diversionary tactic aimed at covering internal crises within the PDP.

Dipe said that APC had no control over INEC and could not interfere with its constitutional responsibilities, arguing that the PDP’s omission was a result of internal leadership crises and ongoing court cases within the opposition party.

The APC Spokesman advised the PDP governorship candidate to seek redress through legal means rather than making what it described as “wild allegations” against political opponents. (The Nation)