Ekiti 2026: PDP Accuses INEC of Bias Over Exclusion of Governorship Candidate

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias following the exclusion of its governorship candidate from the list of contestants for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.

In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesman, Ini Ememobong, the PDP described the omission as further evidence of what it termed INEC’s “biased disposition” against the party.

According to the PDP, INEC was duly notified of its governorship primaries, monitored the exercise, and subsequently issued reports confirming that the process complied with electoral laws and democratic standards.

The party said INEC later released nomination portal codes for the submission of candidates’ details but allegedly blocked the PDP’s access to the portal days before the submission deadline.

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As a result, the party said it resorted to manual submission of its nomination documents at INEC’s office, adding that the commission acknowledged receipt of the documents.

The PDP maintained that INEC ought to have exercised caution by including the name of Oluwole Oluyede, whom it described as its duly nominated governorship candidate, noting that there was no contrary submission challenging his nomination.

“There was no court order restraining INEC from recognising our candidate, and the commission’s own monitoring report attests to the validity of the primaries,” the statement said.

The party further disclosed that it has commenced legal action to compel INEC to include its candidate on the final list for the election.

“While we undertake this long and tortuous legal route, we once again remind INEC of the expectations of Nigerians that the commission must remain independent, impartial, and neutral in the management of the electoral process,” the PDP stated.

The party warned that actions perceived as undermining electoral integrity could damage democracy and public confidence in the commission.

Ekiti 2026: PDP Accuses INEC of Bias Over Exclusion of Governorship Candidate

Kano APC Woos Governor Abba Yusuf Amid NNPP Crisis

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has formally invited Governor Abba Yusuf to defect to the ruling party, urging him to join in the interest of unity and development in the state.

The invitation was disclosed on Tuesday by the Kano APC chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, who spoke on behalf of the immediate past APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Abbas said the call for Governor Yusuf to join the APC was driven by the need for reconciliation, unity, and collective progress in Kano State.

“The APC is ready to receive Governor Abba Yusuf with open arms so that, together, we can combine our strengths for the progress of Kano State,” Abbas said.

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The planned defection of the governor has reportedly deepened divisions within the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), on whose platform Yusuf was elected in the 2023 governorship election.

Sources within the party say the move is strongly opposed by the NNPP national leader and political benefactor of the governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who is said to be against Yusuf joining the APC.

Abbas assured that upon his formal defection, Governor Yusuf and other NNPP stalwarts would be received into the APC under the leadership of Dr Ganduje, in what he described as an atmosphere of mutual respect and collective responsibility.

He added that the APC remains committed to building a more united, stable, and prosperous Kano State, regardless of political affiliations.

Kano APC Woos Governor Abba Yusuf Amid NNPP Crisis

Wike Fires Back at Makinde, Denies Plan to Weaken PDP for Tinubu

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde that he promised to “hold the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) down” to ease President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Wike refuted the allegation during an end-of-the-year media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday, describing the claim as false, unfair and borne out of political frustration.

“What was that purpose that would have led me to say, ‘Mr President, I’ll hold PDP down for you?’” Wike asked.

Governor Makinde had last week alleged during a media chat in Ibadan, Oyo State, that Wike volunteered to weaken the PDP for Tinubu’s benefit during a meeting attended by the president and other political figures. Makinde said he was shocked by the alleged statement and insisted he would not support Tinubu’s second-term bid.

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Responding, Wike denied that such a meeting or statement ever took place. He clarified that he, alongside former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Makinde, only paid a post-election visit to President Tinubu to discuss general political issues.

“There was no such meeting. It is completely out of point to say I told Mr President that I would hold PDP down. It is very unfair,” Wike said.

The FCT minister accused Makinde of misrepresenting events and allowing personal ambition to fuel internal divisions within the opposition PDP.

“You can see frustration in Seyi Makinde. There is nothing wrong with ambition, but ambition must be guided by the rules,” Wike stated.

He further blamed Makinde for the legal battles that deepened the PDP crisis, alleging that party leaders had agreed to resolve disputes internally before Makinde took matters to court.

“We all agreed for the party to move on. He refused and went to the Supreme Court. When he went, he lost,” Wike said.

The rift between the two senior PDP figures has intensified following Makinde’s public declaration that he would not support President Tinubu in 2027, citing concerns over opposition survival and democratic balance.

Wike, however, maintained that he never offered to undermine the PDP, insisting that the allegations attributed to him were spurious and ill-conceived.

Wike Fires Back at Makinde, Denies Plan to Weaken PDP for Tinubu