The Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee has launched the non-public particulars and particulars of governorship candidates contesting the 2026 Ekiti State election.
A go to to the INEC state headquarters alongside the brand new Iyin–Ekiti Highway in Ado-Ekiti on Monday revealed that the names and particulars of twelve governorship candidates and their respective working mates have been conspicuously displayed on the entrance of the electoral umpire’s workplace.
In line with the checklist made public, the incumbent governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji (58), and his deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye (67), have been listed because the governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the June 20, 2026 election.
Different candidates on the checklist embody these of the Accord Social gathering, Opeyemi Falegan (41) and Omoyemi Olaleye (42); the African Motion Congress (AAC), Akande Oluwasegun (36) with Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe as working mate; the Motion Democratic Social gathering (ADP), Ayodeji Ojo (42) and Itunu Ibitoye (35); the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Oluwadare Bejide (66) and Paul Olowoyeye (52); the Motion Folks’s Social gathering (APP), Bidemi Awogbemi (36) and Akinyemi Adewumi (53); and the Allied Folks’s Motion (APM), Joseph Anifowose (65) with Margaret Ilesanmi (68).
Additionally listed have been the Labour Social gathering (LP) candidates, Oyebanji Olajuyin (67) and Ayokunle Okumade (45); the New Nigeria Folks’s Social gathering (NNPP), Blessing Abegunde (35) and Francis Ajayi (65); the Folks’s Redemption Social gathering (PRP), Olaniyi Ayodele (49) and Modupe Adebiyi (35); the Younger Progressive Social gathering (YPP), Owoola Daramola (54) and Opeyemi Adeyemo (51); in addition to the Zenith Labour Social gathering (ZLP), which offered Victor Adetunji (38) and Adesina Oyeniyi (35).
Nevertheless, it was noticed that the governorship candidate of the Folks’s Democratic Social gathering (PDP) and his working mate have been conspicuously absent from the checklist launched by INEC.
Recall {that a} famend medical professional, Wole Oluyede, emerged because the PDP governorship candidate in the course of the get together’s major election held on November 8.
A reputable supply inside INEC stated that the omission of the PDP candidate was linked to the lingering management disaster on the get together’s nationwide headquarters, with two factions laying declare to the get together’s management.
The supply added that the fee was conscious of the assorted litigations in courtroom over the PDP disaster and wouldn’t take any motion till in any other case directed by the judiciary.
The disaster has cut up the get together into two camps, one led by Aminu Turaki, SAN, and backed by the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, alongside different PDP governors; and the opposite faction led by Abdulrahman Muhammed, aligned with the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Talking, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, defined that the discharge of the names and private particulars of candidates was in compliance with Part 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.
He urged voters within the state to go to INEC places of work to scrutinise the candidates’ particulars and make any essential observations forward of the 2026 governorship election.
In line with the timetable launched by the fee, political events have till January 12, 2026, to switch candidates who withdraw from the race, whereas the ultimate checklist of candidates is predicted to be revealed on January 19, 2026.