Ekiti governorship poll: The intrigues

The stage is set for the June 20 governorship poll in Ekiti State. While 12 political parties have fielded candidates, the race is shaping up around the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), People’s  Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Democratic Congress (ADC). Correspondent RASAQ IBRAHIM examines the candidates, the platforms and the issues that will shape the exercise.

Following the conclusion of primaries by the political parties and the submission of candidates’ name to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) the stage is firmly set for the June 20, 2026 governorship poll in Ekiti State.

INEC has since formally activated the election process with the release of a timetable for the election, a move that has intensified political activities across the state. With the election date fixed, the race for the Oke-Ayoba Government House has shifted from the behind-the-scenes manoeuvring to open political engagement by parties and candidates.

In line with the timetable, political parties conducted their governorship primaries between October 20 and November 10, 2025, producing candidates across party lines. However, the exercise has exposed internal divisions within several parties, some of which are yet to be resolved.

The ruling All Progressives  Congress produced Governor Biodun Oyebanji as its standard bearer through consensus primary mode.The process, however, has continued to generate internal disputes, with aggrieved members accusing the party national leadership of undermining internal democracy and imposing a predetermined outcome.

The APC’s internal crisis predated the shadow poll. The disqualification of two aspirants, Engineer Kayode Ojo and Mrs Oluwajumoke Olawumi by APC national leadership sparked outrage and widened existing cracks within the party. Olawumi has since challenged Oyebanji’s emergence in court, leaving the party grappling with post-primary litigation.

On December 29, 2025, INEC released the provisional list of governorship candidates submitted by political parties. While the list confirmed candidates from several parties, it also generated controversy following the exclusion of the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, over pending court cases linked to the party’s national leadership.

The omission of the PDP from the list sent shockwaves across Ekiti’s political landscape. For a party with deep roots in the state’s age-long political history, the development has raised fresh concerns about the opposition party’s cohesion and preparedness for the governorship contest.

Despite assurances by INEC that parties with outstanding issues could rectify them before the release of the final list, the PDP failed to meet the required conditions. The commission’s final list, released in January 2026, confirmed that the PDP would not be on the ballot. The party has since approached the court, describing its exclusion as unjust and insisting that legal redress remains its last hope of returning to the race.

INEC’s final list shows a crowded race with 12 political parties, excluding the PDP participating in the poll. The ruling APC is fielding Governor Biodun Oyebanji with Monisade Afuye as running mate.Other candidates include Opeyemi Falegan of the Accord Party, who is running with Omoyeni Bayode; Mr. Akande Oluwasegun of African Action Congress, paired with  Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe; and Ayodeji Ojo of the Action Democratic Party, with Itunu Ibitoye as his running mate.

The African Democratic Congress is presenting Ambassador Dare Bejide and Babatola Ayodeji, Bidemi Awogbemi, and Akinyemi Adewumi of the Action People Party (APP) ; and Joseph Anifowose with Margaret Ilesanmi of the Allied People’s Movement.

The Labour Party is presenting Oyebanji Olajuyin and Ayokunle Okumade while New Nigeria People’s Party has Blessing Abegunde as its candidate, with Francis Ajayi as running mate.  The People’s Redemption Party is fielding Olaniyi Ayodele and Modupe Adebiyi while the Young Progressive Party is presenting Osinkolu Segun and Arowolo Olusesan, the Zenith Labour Party’s candidates are Victor Adetunji and Adesina Oyeniyi.

Meanwhile, the political atmosphere in the Fountain of Knowledge has grown increasingly charged. Across the state, political activities have intensified with parties mobilising supporters, fine-tuning strategies and positioning themselves ahead of the governorship election.

Parties’ offices have become beehives of activities. Even the fringe political parties whose offices were barely noticeable in the past have intensified activities in a bid to remain relevant. The Party leaders are also engaging in weighing alliances, recalculation,  managing post-primary intra-party crisis and exploring possible defections.

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Across towns and communities in Ekiti, discussions about the governorship poll now dominate the public spaces, social gatherings as well as the social media platforms.From market squares to motor parks and newspaper stands, the June 20 poll has become the central topic of conversation, reflecting growing public interest in the political future of the state.

Ekiti people appear increasingly eager to exercise their civic rights,  with many already weighing  options before them. For some electorates, the governorship election is an opportunity to sustain the current direction of governance, while for others, it offered a chance to push for change of leadership.

Beyond party affiliation, the governorship race is increasingly being shaped by the personality of parties candidates, their antecedents, competence and political history. The voters are weighing familiar faces against newer entrants in the state political firmament, examining past records in public offices, competence, character and credibility.

Manifestos and ideas are also beginning to take centre stage. From promises of infrastructural development and wealth and job creation to education, healthcare and governance style, the election is fast becoming a contest of competing ideas and visions for a greater and prosperous Ekiti.

At the centre of the governorship poll is the incumbent governor. Having secured the APC ticket, Oyebanji enters the race with the full weight of incumbency, party structure, financial warchest and access to state-wide political machinery.

Oyebanji’s emergence as the APC governorship candidate followed a consensus shadow poll. The ruling APC hierarchy maintained that the consensus option was adopted to preserve internal harmony and consolidate support ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

Despite the party’s public display of unity and cohesion, the process left pockets of dissatisfaction within the APC. Some aggrieved members have continued to express resentment over the manner the primary was conducted, arguing that the consensus arrangements  suppressed internal competition. These grievances have continue to linger within the party.

Oyebanji’s campaign has been built largely around continuity and stability. His supporters frequently highlight achievements recorded during his first term, including improvements in road infrastructure, increased investment in education and healthcare, agricultural revolution and the  maintenance of a relatively peaceful political climate in the state. The administration’s emphasis on inclusive governance has also been cited as a reason for seeking a second term.

The governor has also benefited from endorsements by key stakeholders in the state including traditional rulers, union leaders, market women, APC leaders and opposition leaders. These endorsements have strengthened his position within the party and reinforced his image as the frontrunner in the race . To many within the APC, Oyebanji remains the candidate to beat in the June 20 election.

However, analysts opined that the post-primary tensions within the APC present a subtle challenge. While the disputes may not threaten Oyebanji’s candidacy directly,unresolved grievances, and court actions could affect the party’s ability to mobilise effectively and efficiently at the grassroots level. How the APC manages these internal crisis in the months ahead may ultimately influence its electoral fortunes.

For the PDP, the electioneering season has been marked by crisis since its lost power to APC in 2018. Although Oluyede emerged from a keenly contested primary and was initially seen as a rallying point for a possible resurgence, the party’s exclusion from the ballot has dealt a severe blow to its ambitions.

The crisis has been compounded by the open support of ex- governor Ayo Fayose for Oyebanji and the defection of several PDP members to the ruling APC. While remaining a PDP member, Fayose has  repeatedly stated publicly that Oyebanji would complete two terms in office, a declaration that has weakened the party.

Despite insisting that it has a credible alternative agenda, the PDP’s immediate focus has shifted from campaigning to litigation, as it seeks a court order to overturn its exclusion. Political analysts say the legal battle has cast uncertainty over the party’s role in the 2026 poll.

Filling the opposition vacuum is the African Democratic Congress, which has emerged as the main challenger to the APC. Its candidate, Bejide, a former Secretary to the Ekiti State Government and ex-Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada, has broadened political choices for voters.

The Ilawe-Ekiti born politician is not a political neophyte. Bejide brings with him years of public service experience at both state and international levels. His résumé has helped the ADC overcome one of the usual limitations of lack of a recognised flag bearer with a proven administrative background often faced by the smaller parties.

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Bejide’s emergence has resonated with voters who feel alienated by the familiar APC–PDP rivalry. For this segment of the electorate, Bejide represents a departure from the recycled political battles and entrenched party interests. The ADC has tapped into this sentiment, projecting itself as a platform for those seeking a fresh political direction.

Beyond public sentiment, the ADC has harvested members from both the PDP and the APC, swelling its  ranks with aggrieved politicians. These defections have strengthened the party’s presence across the state.

Capitalising on this  momentum,  the party has framed its campaign around the idea of a credible third force, arguing that socioeconomic development in Ekiti has been stifled by alternation of power between PDP and APC.

Despite the party’s strengths, the ADC faces structural challenges. Unlike the APC and PDP, the party lack entrenched grassroots network across all the local governments. Mobilisation and funding remain areas of concern, and analysts noted that converting public goodwill into real votes will require organisation and strategic alliances.

However, keen political watchers of Ekiti politics cautioned against  dismissing Bejide’s chances. In a political climate marked by internal party crises with the major parties and voters’ frustration, they argured that ADC buoyed by defections, grassroots reach and wider acceptability may not just be a fringe contender, but a factor capable of reshaping dynamics of the governorship race.