PDP Chooses Medical Expert for Ekiti Governorship Race
The political landscape in Ekiti State has taken a definitive shape as major opposition parties concluded their primaries over the weekend, selecting flagbearers for the highly anticipated 2026 governorship election. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged from an intense all-night primary with Dr Wole Oluyede, a renowned physician and businessman, as their chosen candidate.
PDP's Marathon Primary Session
The PDP conducted a crowded primary election that extended through the night at the popular Event Centre along Afao Ekiti Road in Ado Ekiti. The exercise, which began with delegate accreditation around 6:00 pm on Saturday, continued into early Sunday morning under the watchful eyes of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and security personnel.
When the votes from delegates across all 16 local government areas were finally counted, Dr Oluyede secured victory with 279 votes. His closest competitor, Funsho Ayeni, gathered 239 votes, while the sole female aspirant, Funmi Ogun, received 17 votes.
Opposition Parties Finalize Their Candidates
The weekend marked a crucial deadline period for political parties, with the INEC deadline for primaries set for Monday, November 10. While the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) had previously confirmed incumbent governor Biodun Oyebanji through consensus, opposition parties raced to complete their selection processes.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) elected Engineer David Oludele Bankole as their standard bearer. The two-term state secretary of the party secured his position after two other aspirants, Mr Peter Adesina and Mrs Adesola Dada, voluntarily stepped down in his favor.
Mr Gabriel Akinloye, Chairman of the Ekiti SDP Primary Election Committee, declared Bankole the winner and praised the sportsmanship displayed by other contestants. He urged unity within the party to ensure victory in the upcoming governorship poll.
Other Party Primaries and Outcomes
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) selected a former Nigerian Ambassador to Canada and one-time Secretary to the Ekiti State Government during Segun Oni's administration as their candidate. Ambassador Bejide dominated the race with 15,466 votes, defeating four other contestants including former Deputy Governor Prof. Olusola Eleka, who came second with 12,003 votes.
Other ADC results showed Mr Femi Adegbite, a legal practitioner, scoring 9,141 votes, while Mr Emmanuel Fayose, younger brother of former Governor Ayo Fayose, secured 2,865 votes. Apostle Ayodele Adesua received 135 votes.
The ADC primary witnessed some irregularities, leading the election committee chaired by Sen. Patricia Naomi Akwashiki to step down results from Ilejemeje and Oye Local Governments while canceling that of Emure Local Government.
The New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) presented Mr Blessing Abegunde as their candidate after other aspirants stepped down for the young entrepreneur. Party officials expressed confidence that Abegunde's understanding of electoral dynamics would boost their chances in the 2026 contest.
Similarly, the Accord party selected businessman and philanthropist Mr Opeyemi David Falegan as their gubernatorial flagbearer, completing the lineup of major opposition candidates for what promises to be a keenly contested election.
With all major parties now having their standard bearers in place, Ekiti State political activities are expected to intensify as campaigns gradually build momentum toward the 2026 governorship election.
