Oluyede Explains Withdrawal of Ekiti Governorship Petition
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, Wole Oluyede, has clarified the reasons behind his decision to withdraw the legal petition challenging the poll’s outcome.
In a statement entitled “Ekiti 2026: The election that should keep 2027 political strategists awake,” Oluyede said he remains committed to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s quest for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.
He stressed that his choice to discontinue the petition was not motivated by any financial inducement or settlement from the APC‑led government, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, or any other individual.
Oluyede added that the withdrawal should not be seen as an endorsement of every aspect of the election process. Instead, he views the poll as a source of valuable lessons on voter participation, grassroots mobilisation, and political engagement that will inform preparations for 2027.
The PDP aspirant praised the resilience of his party members in Ekiti, asserting that the PDP is far from extinct in the state. He declared, “We remain alive and formidable together. Under my leadership, PDP will play a very prominent role in the 2027 election and cannot be taken for granted.”
Oluyede recalled that he originally approached the election petitions tribunal seeking three objectives: uncovering the truth, scrutinising the election, and clearing his name. After a forensic review of the results and related documents, his team identified issues they believed warranted further examination.
Following extensive consultations and personal reflection, he decided to move forward without litigation. He explained that he weighed whether prolonged legal battle over the governorship race would serve the larger political and national objectives he has championed for years. Concluding that statesmanship was the better path, he chose to withdraw the petition.
He categorically denied receiving any money: “Let me state this clearly: I did not collect a kobo from President Bola Tinubu, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the APC, or anyone else in exchange for withdrawing my case. I did not sell my mandate; my integrity is not for sale.”
Oluyede urged stakeholders to study the election’s conduct and results carefully, address the weaknesses exposed, and build a stronger, more credible electoral and grassroots mobilisation framework for the upcoming 2027 contests.
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