2026: We’ll unseat APC, PDP vows as party leaders storm Ekiti to Oluyede campaign inauguration

...Southwest PDP leaders unite behind Oluyede, Shun Fayose, Segun Oni's APC endorsement
...Oluyede declares governorship bid, says Ekiti deserves people-focused govt

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has declared its resolve to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in the 2026 gubernatorial election, citing the administration’s failure to deliver people-focused development since Governor Biodun Oyebanji assumed office on 16 October 2022.

This position was articulated by a prominent PDP chieftain from Ondo State and Chairman of the Forum of National Ex-Officio, Hon. Clement Faboyede, during the inauguration of the Team Wole Oluyede Ekiti 2026 Governorship Campaign Committee held on Tuesday in Ikere-Ekiti.

Hon. Faboyede, who previously served as Commissioner for Community Development in Ondo State, criticised the Oyebanji-led administration for channelling public funds into what he described as “white elephant projects” while overlooking basic amenities crucial to the welfare of citizens.

He accused the government of wasting state resources on what he called “jamborees and funfairs” and failing to commission any meaningful infrastructure projects in the past two years.

“Apart from using Ekiti funds to service former governors, the APC government has not delivered any significant projects. They continue to borrow funds and hire military aircraft to land at a cargo airport that has become a conduit for draining state resources,” he stated.

Endorsing Dr Wole Oluyede as the most acceptable candidate across all levels of the PDP, Hon. Faboyede called on ward leaders, executives and members to rally behind him as the party’s flag bearer in the 2026 election. He appealed to the people of Ekiti to reject the APC, asserting that the ruling party had betrayed public trust by failing to fulfil its promises.

In his remarks, former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kolawole Oluwawole, said Oluyede’s widespread support was a reflection of his reputation for good governance. He described the 2026 election as an opportunity to end the hardship experienced under the current government.

“This time, we must get it right. The people of Ekiti are fed up with the APC’s web of lies and broken promises. It is time to answer the call of our citizens and put an end to needless suffering,” he said.

Chief Sanya Atofarati, the PDP’s Southwest Publicity Secretary and head of Media and Publicity for Team Wole Oluyede 2026, said the PDP had shown resilience despite internal and external challenges. He reassured party members that saboteurs responsible for past failures would not be accommodated in future.

Also speaking at the event, the PDP’s Southwest Zonal Organising Secretary, Barr. Benson Amuwa, who formally inaugurated the campaign committee, stated that the party remains strong and united. He expressed confidence that issues at the national level would soon be resolved.

“No APC candidate can draw this kind of crowd. Only the PDP enjoys this level of genuine grassroots support,” Amuwa said.

When asked about the implications of public endorsements of Governor Oyebanji’s re-election by two former PDP governors, Ayodele Fayose and Segun Oni, Barr. Amuwa dismissed concerns, insisting their decisions would not weaken the PDP’s electoral prospects.

Dr Wole Oluyede, who was the African Democratic Congress (ADC) gubernatorial candidate in 2022, formally defected to the PDP following extensive consultations with stakeholders across all 16 local government areas of Ekiti State.

Declaring his ambition to contest the 2026 election, Oluyede pledged to restore prosperity to the state through responsive and people-centred governance.

“I am not running for personal gain. The APC has shortchanged Ekiti people for too long. With the backing of our citizens, we are ready to rebuild from the grassroots, and Ekiti will smile again,” he said.

The inauguration ceremony drew a large turnout of PDP leaders from Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ogun states, alongside current and former party executives, members, and supporters from across Ekiti’s 16 local government areas.