Ekiti Gov. Election: INEC Excludes PDP In Final List Of Participating Parties

By Ayodele Oni

As a step forward to the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti state, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has released names of candidates and their deputies cleared to contest in the poll.

Described as the final, the list, made public on Monday did not include the name of the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Wole Oluyede.

The list, signed by INEC National Commissioner, Rose Oraran-Anthony, shows that candidates will be vying for the governorship seat alongside their running mates, with qualifications ranging from primary school certificates to doctorate degrees.

Names of the 12 political parties which will feature in the contest were listed in the latest list.

It was signed by INEC National Commissioner, Rose Oraran-Anthony, shows that candidates will be vying for the governorship seat alongside their running mates, with qualifications ranging from primary school certificates to doctorate degrees.

According to the commission, the approved candidates include representatives of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and several other parties.

The incumbent governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, 58, will be contesting on the platform of the APC, with Monisade Afuye, 67, as the deputy governorship candidate.

The Labour Party is presenting Olajuyin Ikusayede Gbegbe Oyebanji, 67, as its governorship candidate, with legal practitioner Okumade Ayokunle Odumayo as his running mate.

Among the younger contenders is Abegunde Ayobami Blessing of the NNPP, aged 35, while the AAC has nominated Akande Oluwasegun Samuel, 36, with John Fajuyigbe Oluwasanmi as deputy.

Other candidates include Bejide Oluwadare Patrick (ADC), Ojo Ayodeji (ADP), Anifowose Joseph Olanrewaju (APM), Awogbemi Bidemi Olaiya (APP), Ayodele Olaniyi Olanrewaju Praise (PRP), Osinkolu Olusegun Ayodele (YPP), and Adetunji Victor Damilola (ZLP).

INEC’s document also highlights the wide disparity in educational backgrounds among the candidates and their deputies, a development that has already sparked conversations among political observers and voters in the state.

With the development, those cleared for the election are set for a state wide campaigns as from Wednesday, which will take them to the 16 local government councils in the state.

In the interim, the PDP has filed a notice of stay of execution to the judgement, which disqualified its candidate, Oluyede, while the party also gave notice of appeal against the High Court judgement.