Oluyede Rejects Ekiti Governorship Election Results
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the June 20, 2026 election in Ekiti State, Wole Oluyede, has refused to accept the outcome announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a personally signed statement entitled “A Message of Gratitude, Hope and Commitment to the People of Ekiti State,” Oluyede thanked party members and supporters for voting according to their conscience and standing firm in their convictions.
However, he asserted that the election suffered from multiple shortcomings, including voter inducement, intimidation, operational challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, delayed accreditation and other alleged irregularities that cast doubt on the credibility of the results.
Oluyede said, “The official results declared by INEC credited our great party with 40,543 votes. To every one of you who stood firmly with us and refused to exchange your conscience for personal gain, I owe you a debt of gratitude that words alone cannot repay.”
He added, “My position regarding the conduct of the election remains clear. Based on reports from our polling agents across the 16 local government areas, information available to our campaign and my own assessment, I firmly believe that the election fell short of the standard of a free, fair and credible election that the good people of Ekiti deserved.”
The candidate stressed that the numerous reports of voter inducement, intimidation, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System problems, delayed accreditation and other alleged irregularities demand a transparent and impartial examination.
Oluyede affirmed his respect for the Office of the President and President Bola Tinubu, stating that any steps taken after the election must be guided by wisdom, responsibility and respect for democratic institutions.
He disclosed that he is currently consulting extensively with the PDP leadership, his lawyers and members of his legal team, and will brief the people of Ekiti State on the outcome of those consultations and the next steps at the appropriate time.
“Whatever decision is eventually taken will always be guided by the rule of law, the interest of our supporters and my unwavering commitment to justice, democracy and the future of Ekiti State,” he said.
Oluyede assured supporters that their sacrifices would not be in vain, promising to continue defending their interests and that of Ekiti State.
“You have strengthened my faith. You have renewed my hope. You have inspired my determination. I will never abandon you. I will continue to stand with you. I will continue to speak for you. I will continue to defend the interests of Ekiti State.”
He also took aim at unnamed individuals who, having previously benefited from the PDP, now claim the party is politically irrelevant in the state.
“It was both painful and disappointing to watch some individuals who had benefited immensely from the PDP… devote their time and energy to declaring that the PDP was dead in Ekiti State,” Oluyede remarked.
He concluded by framing his candidacy as a mission to restore hope, defend democratic choice and prove that Ekiti’s future belongs to its people, not to political office seekers.
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