Appellate Court Affirms Dr. Wole Oluyede as Ekiti PDP Candidate Ahead of June 20 Governorship Election

Dr. Wole Oluyede confirmed as Ekiti PDP candidate. Read about his June 20 campaign launch to fix infrastructure and his victory over legal hurdles at PUNCH.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 5:40 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from PUNCH

Legal Affirmation and Campaign Commencement

Dr. Wole Oluyede, the governorship candidate for the People’s Democratic Party in Ekiti State, has declared his intention to initiate a comprehensive campaign across all three senatorial districts and 16 local government areas. This announcement follows a definitive ruling from the appellate court which affirmed him as the validly elected flagbearer for the June 20 election. The candidate’s path was previously obstructed by internal litigation and a lower court ruling that sought to nullify the primary exercise. With the legal hurdles cleared, Oluyede is now moving to consolidate his base and present his vision for the state’s development to the wider electorate.

Infrastructural Restoration as a Policy Priority

A central tenet of Oluyede’s campaign is the urgent need to address what he describes as the widespread decay of infrastructure within Ekiti State. During a recent rally in his hometown of Ikere Ekiti, the candidate promised that his administration would prioritize the rehabilitation of roads, hospitals, and schools. He argued that the current state of public facilities has hindered economic growth and reduced the quality of life for residents. By focusing on these core areas, Oluyede aims to position the PDP as the party of practical solutions and tangible progress in the upcoming electoral contest.

Overcoming Institutional and Internal Challenges

The journey to the ballot has been marked by significant institutional friction between the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission. Earlier this year, the commission had excluded Oluyede’s name from the final list of candidates, citing unresolved leadership divisions at the national level of the party. However, a Federal High Court in Abuja intervened, ordering the commission to publish the candidate's name to ensure a fair democratic process. Oluyede maintains that these challenges have only served to strengthen the party's resolve and demonstrate its resilience in the face of political adversity.