Dr. Wole Oluyede is one of the governorship candidates contesting in the Saturday, June 20, 2026, election in Ekiti State. The medical doctor is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate challenging the incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Birthplace and Family Background
Oluwole was born on June 4, 1964, in Ikere Ekiti and grew up in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. He was born into the family of Chief Folarin Joseph Oluyede and Grace Ayolede (nee Gbadebo). His father was a retired teacher, businessman, and seasoned politician, while his mother retired as a headmistress.
Educational Background
He first attended Emmanuel Primary School in Ado Ekiti in 1970 before transferring to Christ's School in 1974. Oluwole later proceeded to the Federal School of Arts and Science in Ondo State for his A levels. He earned his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1986 from the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Kwara State.
Professional Career
He completed his internship training at the State Hospital Akure from 1986 to 1987. Dr. Wole finished his mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 1988. He started his medical career at the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Aro Abeokuta in Ogun State. He established his first clinic, Bethany, at Agege Pens Cinema in Lagos at the age of 27.
Marital Life
Oluwole married Olukemi Oludoyinsola Oluyede (nee Kuforiji) in 1989, and they have four children together. The couple met at the university and married after graduation.
Political Career
He left the All Progressives Congress (APC) after failing to secure the APC 2022 governorship ticket in Ekiti State. Oluwole defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and became the party's governorship candidate in the 2022 election.
Ekiti Guber 2026: Analyst Predicts Winner
A political analyst predicted that Governor Oyebanji will win re-election in Ekiti State's June 2026 election. Donald Okwuosa cited incumbency, sentiment, and APC stronghold as key reasons for Oyebanji's potential victory. He said the APC's grip on power fuels expectations for a decisive win ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Ekiti Guber: PDP, SDP Missing in INEC Final List
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the final list of candidates for the June 20 Ekiti governorship election, excluding the PDP and SDP candidates and their running mates. The electoral body cited unresolved leadership crises and ongoing court cases within the parties as the reason for the omission. However, the PDP and SDP have rejected the decision and vowed to pursue legal action to compel INEC to include their candidates in the election.
