The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has released the provisional list of candidates for the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, officially unveiling those cleared to contest for the state’s top political office.
The list was displayed on Monday at the INEC state office located along New Iyin Road in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. A total of 12 political parties featured on the provisional register, each presenting candidates for the governorship and deputy governorship positions.
According to the document, the All Progressives Congress, APC, is presenting the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, alongside his running mate, Monisade Afuye.
Other political parties on the list include the Accord Party, which nominated Opeyemi Falegan with Omoyemi Olaleye as deputy; the African Action Congress, fielding Akande Oluwasegun and Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe; and the Action Democratic Party, with Ayodeji Ojo and Itunu Ibitoye as its candidates.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, named Oluwadare Bejide as its governorship candidate with Paul Olowoyeye as running mate, while the Action People’s Party is represented by Bidemi Awogbemi and Akinyemi Adewumi.
Also cleared are Joseph Anifowose and Margaret Ilesanmi of the Allied People’s Movement; Oyebanji Olajuyin and Ayokunle Okumade of the Labour Party; and Blessing Abegunde, paired with Francis Ajayi, of the New Nigeria People’s Party.
The People’s Redemption Party is contesting the election with Olaniyi Ayodele and Modupe Adebiyi, while the Young Progressive Party nominated Owoola Daramola with Opeyemi Adeyemo. The Zenith Labour Party is fielding Victor Adetunji and Adesina Oyeniyi.
Notably absent from the provisional list are the candidates of the People’s Democratic Party, Dr. Wole Oluyede and his running mate.
Sources at the INEC office disclosed that the exclusion was due to unresolved court cases relating to the party’s leadership, which are still pending before the courts.
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