Dr. Wole Oluyede has won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election in Ekiti State. The renowned medical practitioner emerged as the party’s flagbearer for the upcoming 2026 election.

The Primary Election Unfolds

The primary election took place in Ado-Ekiti. Thousands of party faithful attended the event. A total of 535 delegates participated. These delegates came from all 177 wards across the state. They voted to choose the party’s candidate for the 2026 governorship election.

Security was tight at the voting centre. Army, police, civil defence, and mobile police units secured the venue. Other security agencies were also present. Their presence maintained order throughout the process. The exercise began at 10:30 pm on Saturday. It concluded by 1:49 am on Sunday.

Results and Aspirant Reactions

Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo announced the results. He chairs the Primary Election Committee. Oluyede polled 279 votes. This secured his victory. Funso Ayeni came second with 239 votes. Funmilayo Ogun received 17 votes.

Earlier that night, another aspirant withdrew. Peter Obafemi stepped down from the race. He declared his full support for Dr. Oluyede. Obafemi stated his decision was “not for personal gains.” He emphasized it was for “the peace of the party.” He described Oluyede as “a man of integrity.” He also noted Oluyede’s “ability and agility to take the party to victory.”

Oluyede’s Victory Speech

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Oluyede expressed gratitude. He called the outcome a collective triumph for the PDP in Ekiti. “Today marks a victory not just for me,” he stated. “It is for every member of our great party in Ekiti State.” He added, “In this election, there are no losers, only partners in progress and champions of democracy.”

He praised the primary’s transparent conduct. He thanked the party’s national leadership. Ambassador Iliya Damagum, the National Chairman, was acknowledged. Governor Seyi Makinde, the PDP Southwest leader, was also thanked. Their efforts ensured a level playing field for all candidates.

Oluyede promised to rebuild trust. He vowed to “reclaim Ekiti from the grip of misrule under the APC.” He urged all citizens to unite behind his candidacy. “The spirit of maturity, sincerity and fairness shown in this primary demonstrates that true change is coming to Ekiti,” he affirmed.

Party Leaders Speak Out

Funso Ayeni congratulated the party. However, he expressed concerns. He claimed some aspects of the process were “marred by manipulation.” He indicated he would explore internal mechanisms. These mechanisms would address his concerns.

The Ekiti State PDP Chairman, Tunji Odeyemi, was delighted. He praised the conduct of the primary. He described it as a major step. This step aims to reclaim the state from the APC. “To God be the glory, a winner has emerged,” Odeyemi said. “That has been our target since I became chairman.”

He added, “Many thought this primary would lead to a crisis, but we have shown otherwise.” Odeyemi praised party members for their resilience. He noted the voting process stretched late into the night. “Only one person can occupy the seat,” he reminded them. “Now that a candidate has emerged, we must reconcile. We need to move forward together to win the election.” He concluded, “We have all it takes to take over the governance of Ekiti State.”

Looking Ahead: Unifying the Party

With Dr. Oluyede’s emergence, the PDP faces a new task. It must unify its ranks. This is crucial ahead of the high-stakes showdown. The party will contest against the ruling APC. The battle will be in the 2026 Ekiti governorship election.