PDP crisis: Ekiti chapter disowns Oluyede, raises questions over viability of ambition
‘Oleyede is court-affirmed PDP candidate in Ekiti’ –Adelusi
BY STEPHEN GBADAMOSI
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has distanced itself from Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, stating that he is not recognised as the party’s gubernatorial candidate.
But the Chief Press Secretary of Wole Oluyede Campaign Organisation, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, countered the report, saying that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognized Oluyede’s candidacy.
In a statement signed by the State Chairman, Honourable Omolase Lanre, the PDP maintained that it had not received any formal communication from Oluyede indicating his submission to the party’s leadership and structure, a requirement for any aspirant seeking to fly its flag.
The position of the party introduced a significant hurdle for Oluyede’s ambition, particularly within the context of Nigeria’s electoral process, where party structure and institutional backing play a central role.
“Elections in Nigeria are not driven solely by individual candidacy. They require coordinated support at multiple levels; internal party alignment, grassroots mobilization, financial capacity, and institutional backing. These elements are typically provided and coordinated by the political party.
“Without formal recognition by the party, key components of an election campaign become difficult to sustain. These include deployment of party agents across polling units, coordination of statewide campaign structures, and access to the party’s established political network.
“Beyond the conduct of the election itself, legal representation remains a critical aspect of the process. Political parties traditionally provide and coordinate legal teams for both pre-election and post-election matters involving their candidates. In the absence of such backing, the burden of legal defense and prosecution rests entirely on the individual,” the party said.
The PDP’s position, therefore, raises practical concerns about how Oluyede intends to navigate both the electoral process and any potential legal challenges without the institutional support of the party under which he seeks to contest.
By withholding recognition, the party has effectively drawn a line on its internal processes and authority, reinforcing the principle that its platform cannot be accessed outside its established structure.
As it stands, Oluyede’s path within the PDP remains uncertain, with the party’s position signaling a major setback to his governorship aspiration.
As the confusion within the PDP camp lingers, the All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to build momentum across Ekiti, with its structure appearing more coordinated and battle-ready ahead of the polls.
But Adelusi, speaking with our reporter on telephone, maintained that the position of Oluyede as the party’s candidate was rooted in law.
He said the High Court in Abuja had confirmed that he remained he authentic candidate of the party in the June 20, 2026 election.
