Ahead of the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the provisional list of governorship and deputy governorship candidates, setting the stage for a competitive contest among 12 political parties.
The list, displayed on Monday at the INEC state office along New Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti, confirms that multiple parties have completed their nomination processes for the highly anticipated election.
According to the provisional register, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is presenting the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, aged 58, with Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, 67, as his running mate, signaling continuity in governance.
Other contenders include Opeyemi Falegan (41) of the Accord Party, paired with Omoyemi Olaleye (42); Akande Oluwasegun (36) of the African Action Congress, with Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe as deputy; and Ayodeji Ojo (42) of the Action Democratic Party, running alongside Itunu Ibitoye (35).
The African Democratic Congress has nominated Oluwadare Bejide (66) and Paul Olowoyeye (52), while the Action People’s Party is fielding Bidemi Awogbemi (36) with Akinyemi Adewumi (53).
Also listed are Joseph Anifowose (65) and Margaret Ilesanmi (68) of the Allied People’s Movement; Oyebanji Olajuyin (67) and Ayokunle Okumade (45) of the Labour Party; and Blessing Abegunde (35), alongside Francis Ajayi (65), representing the New Nigeria People’s Party.
Further entries include Olaniyi Ayodele (49) and Modupe Adebiyi (35) of the People’s Redemption Party; Owoola Daramola (54) and Opeyemi Adeyemo (51) of the Young Progressive Party; as well as Victor Adetunji (38) and Adesina Oyeniyi (35) of the Zenith Labour Party.
Notably absent from the provisional list are the candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by Dr. Wole Oluyede.
An INEC source attributed the omission to unresolved court cases related to the PDP’s leadership, explaining that the party’s candidates could not be listed pending judicial resolution of the disputes.
