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IPAC Threatens Boycott of Ekiti 2026 Governorship Election Over PDP Candidate’s Exclusion

The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ekiti State, Mr. Daramola Owoola, has warned that there will be no governorship election in the state in 2026 if the name of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, is not included on the ballot.

Owoola made the statement on Wednesday during a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office on New Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti. The protest was organised by PDP members, artisans, commercial motorcyclists (okada riders), civil society groups, and members of other political parties.

The protest followed the omission of Oluyede’s name from the provisional list of governorship candidates released by INEC last week.

Speaking at the INEC office, Owoola said he was presenting the collective position of all political parties under IPAC in Ekiti State. He warned that if Oluyede’s name is not restored on the final list, political parties would boycott the election.

He expressed confidence that INEC would correct the issue, noting that the commission would not want to undermine the democratic process or prevent the emergence of a legitimate government in Ekiti State in 2026.

Owoola also said INEC had earlier confirmed that the PDP followed due process in conducting its primary election, adding that there was no valid reason to exclude the party or its candidate. He stressed that IPAC members would withdraw from the election if the situation remained unresolved.

The IPAC chairman was accompanied by the Ekiti State Chairman of the Accord Party, Mr. Phillips Oluropo Adeniji.

Responding to the protesters, the Head of Election and Party Monitoring at the Ekiti INEC office, Mr. Kehinde Mustapha, received the delegation and assured them that their concerns would be looked into. He said INEC monitored the PDP primary in line with Section 82(2) of the Electoral Act and was not aware of any irregularities after the exercise.

Mustapha thanked the protesters for conducting a peaceful demonstration and said he was speaking on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

Also speaking, the Head of INEC’s Legal Department in the state, Mr. Tunde Salako, said the commission was acting within the timelines provided by law. He advised the parties to formally present their complaints to INEC headquarters in Abuja, explaining that the state office does not have the constitutional power to disqualify candidates.

Salako assured stakeholders that INEC remains fair and impartial and would carry out its duties without bias, regardless of political or religious considerations.

Leader of the delegation, Mr. Deji Ogunsakin, told INEC officials that the PDP primary held on November 8, which produced Dr. Oluyede as the party’s candidate, was peaceful and free of disputes. He said there was no parallel primary, court case, or injunction arising from the process.

Ogunsakin questioned the reason for Oluyede’s exclusion from the provisional list, alleging reports of collaboration between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC to disqualify the PDP candidate. He urged the commission to remain neutral and strictly follow due process.

Speaking on behalf of Dr. Oluyede, Ogunsakin appealed to INEC to act fairly, noting that while the APC was reportedly facing post-primary litigations, the PDP had none. He thanked INEC officials for their guidance and said the party would follow the recommended procedures.

He reiterated IPAC’s position that political parties would boycott the election if the issue was not resolved, adding that Ekiti residents were eager for change and that the current administration was allegedly afraid of facing opposition candidates.

Former South-West PDP Chairman, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, commended party members and supporters for the peaceful protest. He urged them to remain calm and await further instructions from party leaders.

During the protest, demonstrators displayed placards with messages such as “Release Dr. Wole Oluyede’s Name Now for 2026,” “Oluyede Is the Alternative for 2026,” “Ekiti APC Should Allow Fair Competition,” and “BAO Is Afraid of Oluyede.”

Other PDP leaders present included the party’s Deputy Chairman, Hon. Ebenezer Oladipo; State Secretary, Mr. Kole Abiodun; former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kola Oluwawole; Zonal Officer, Mrs. Lanre Fajuyi; and several local government party chairmen, coordinators, and women’s wing members.

The protest remained peaceful, with participants singing solidarity songs and demanding the immediate inclusion of Dr. Wole Oluyede’s name on the 2026 governorship ballot.