The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, has said the outcome of the poll demonstrated that the party remains a formidable political force in the state despite the challenges it faced during the election.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Oluyede expressed appreciation to members and supporters of the party across the 16 local government areas of the state for what he described as their resilience, loyalty and commitment throughout the electioneering process.
He said the votes recorded by the PDP showed that the party remained firmly rooted in Ekiti, contrary to claims by some political actors that it had lost its relevance.
According to him, the election’s outcome disproved the long-held assertion by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, that the PDP no longer had a viable political structure in the state.
Oluyede recalled that during the 2022 governorship election, when Fayose was influential within the party and allegedly enjoyed the backing of PDP governors across the country, the party secured about 67,000 votes.
He noted that in the just-concluded election, despite what he described as the absence of institutional support from the party’s leadership, lack of backing from PDP governors and significant political and financial constraints, the PDP still polled more than 40,000 votes.
He maintained that the votes received by the party reflected the genuine support and confidence many Ekiti residents continued to have in the PDP.
‘The PDP in Ekiti is not the property of any individual. It belongs to the thousands of committed members who have remained steadfast despite difficult circumstances,’ he said.
Oluyede also commended civil servants in the state, saying many of them demonstrated courage by refusing to compromise their democratic rights despite what he described as pressure during the election.
He said their actions underscored the need to protect citizens’ constitutional right to freely choose their leaders without fear or intimidation.
While thanking party members for their sacrifices and commitment, Oluyede urged them not to lose hope, insisting that the PDP remained united and determined to rebuild its structures ahead of future elections.
He said the party would continue to engage with the people, strengthen its grassroots presence and work towards providing what he described as credible leadership for the state.
‘Our journey is far from over. We remain committed to rebuilding our structures, reconnecting with the people and offering Ekiti State the responsible leadership it deserves,’ Oluyede said.