The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concerns over the exclusion of its governorship candidate from the list of cleared contestants for the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP accused the Commission of exhibiting bias in its dealings with the party.
It stated that the omission of its candidate’s name was neither accidental nor justifiable, given the events leading to the publication.
According to Ememobong, INEC was formally notified of the date and venue of the party’s governorship primaries, which the Commission monitored as required by law.
He emphasised that INEC officials were physically present and subsequently issued official reports confirming that the exercise complied with relevant electoral guidelines and was democratically conducted.
Following the successful primary, he stated that INEC released the nomination portal access codes to the PDP, enabling the party to obtain and process the required nomination forms.
However, the PDP said the Commission allegedly blocked the access code a few days before the submission deadline, a situation the party says forced it to revert to manual submission at INEC’s headquarters, a submission which the Commission received and acknowledged in writing.
“Having fulfilled all legal requirements, and in the absence of any petition, counter-nomination or court order questioning the legitimacy of Dr. Oluwole Oluyede’s candidacy, INEC ought to have acted with caution, responsibility and respect for due process by publishing his name,” Ememobong said.
The PDP noted that the Commission’s refusal to include Dr. Oluyede, despite positive monitoring reports and acknowledged submissions, raises serious questions about the neutrality and independence of the electoral body.
The statement further stressed that the party considers the exclusion a grave infraction with far-reaching implications, warning that the integrity of the electoral process must never be subjected to personal or institutional bias.
Legal Proceedings
Consequently, the PDP revealed that it has initiated legal proceedings to compel INEC to do what the party insists should have been done from the onset, publish the name and particulars of its validly nominated candidate for the 2026 Ekiti Governorship Election.
“We have begun the process of approaching the courts to compel INEC to carry out its lawful duty. While we undertake what may be a long and tortuous legal journey, we remind the Commission that Nigerians expect it to remain impartial, professional and strictly guided by the law,” the spokesperson added.
The party cautioned that democratic institutions must not be swayed by partisan interests or external influences, warning that the consequences of undermining fairness in the electoral system could be detrimental in the long run.
“While we acknowledge the saying that he who pays the piper dictates the tune, the Commission must be mindful that the tune currently being dictated is dangerously high-pitched and may ultimately injure the piper. INEC must always act in defence of democracy, not in antagonism to it,” the statement concluded.
The Ekiti governorship election is scheduled for 2026, and political activities have begun to gain momentum across the state.
The coming days will likely witness legal battles and intensified political discourse as the PDP seeks judicial intervention to enforce its candidate’s recognition.