INEC Releases Provisional List of Governorship Candidates for Ekiti 2026 Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the provisional list of governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State governorship election. The list, displayed at the INEC state office along New Iyin Road in Ado-Ekiti, features nominees from 12 political parties cleared to contest the poll.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is fielding the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, with Monisade Afuye as his running mate. Other candidates named on the provisional list include Opeyemi Falegan (Accord Party) with Omoyemi Olaleye; Akande Oluwasegun (African Action Congress) with Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe; and Ayodeji Ojo (Action Democratic Party) with Itunu Ibitoye.

The list also includes Oluwadare Bejide and Paul Olowoyeye of the African Democratic Congress; Bidemi Awogbemi and Akinyemi Adewumi of the Action People’s Party; Joseph Anifowose and Margaret Ilesanmi of the Allied People’s Movement; Oyebanji Olajuyin and Ayokunle Okumade of the Labour Party; Blessing Abegunde and Francis Ajayi of the New Nigeria People’s Party; Olaniyi Ayodele and Modupe Adebiyi of the People’s Redemption Party; Owoola Daramola and Opeyemi Adeyemo of the Young Progressive Party; and Victor Adetunji and Adesina Oyeniyi of the Zenith Labour Party.

Notably absent from the provisional register are the governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including Dr. Wole Oluyede, who won the party’s primary earlier in the year. INEC’s omission of the PDP nominees has been linked to unresolved leadership disputes and ongoing litigation surrounding the party’s national hierarchy.

INEC has indicated that the provisional list will be updated on January 19, 2026, in accordance with the Electoral Act, after political parties conclude substitutions and resolve outstanding legal matters ahead of the election.