The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday unveiled the final list of candidates for the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, leaving out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The document obtained by our correspondent showed that the names of PDP’s candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, and his SDP counterpart, David Bankole, were not included. Sources disclosed that both parties were excluded due to unresolved court cases concerning their leadership structures.

With the disqualification of the PDP and SDP candidates, 12 political parties were cleared to contest the election.

According to the list, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is fielding the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, 58, with Monisade Afuye, 67, as running mate.

Other contenders include Opeyemi Falegan, 41, of the Accord Party, running alongside Omoyeni Bayode, 48; Akande Oluwasegun, 36, of the African Action Congress, paired with Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe; and Ayodeji Ojo, 42, of the Action Democratic Party, with Itunu Ibitoye, 35.

The African Democratic Congress is represented by Oluwadare Bejide, 66, and Babatola Ayodeji, 65. Also cleared are Bidemi Awogbemi, 36, and Akinyemi Adewumi, 53, of the Action People’s Party; as well as Joseph Anifowose, 65, and Margaret Ilesanmi, 68, of the Allied People’s Movement.

The Labour Party Is presenting Oyebanji Olajuyin (67) and Ayokunle Okumade (45), while the New Nigeria People’s Party has Blessing Abegunde (35) as its governorship candidate, with Francis Ajayi (65) as running mate.

The People’s Redemption Party is fielding Olaniyi Ayodele (49) and Modupe Adebiyi (35), while the Young Progressive Party is presenting Osinkolu Olusegun and Arowolo Olusesan, the Zenith Labour Party’s candidates are Victor Adetunji (38) and Adesina Oyeniyi (35).

According to the documents, there are no female candidates contesting the governorship position, while four women are listed as deputy governorship candidates across the political parties. Persons living with disabilities were not represented among the candidates cleared for the election.

The commission further displayed the academic qualifications of all candidates and their deputies.The APC governorship candidate, Oyebanji, submitted a First School Leaving Certificate, West African School Certificate, Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree, while his running mate, Afuye, presented a First School Leaving Certificate and West African School Certificate.

However, the PDP has rejected the final list of governorship candidates released by INEC, insisting that the party would participate in June 20 governorship poll.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media to Oluyede, Gani Salau, the said the omission of its governorship candidate was already before the court and should not be interpreted as the end of its participation in the June 20 poll.

The oppositeion PDP disclosed that its candidate had instituted a suit at Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking an order of mandamus to compel INEC to publish his name which it said would be heard this week.

It further stated that It had appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state capital that ordered a fresh governorship primary, insisting that it had filed a stay of execution.

The party expressed confidence that the courts would rule in its favour, urging its members and supporters across the 16 council areas of the state to remain calm while maintaining that Oluyede remains its candidate and a strong contender in the 2026 governorship election.

Also, the Ekiti SDP Chairman, Bamikole Ayodele expressed shock over the non-inclusion of its governorship candidate from the INEC final list, describing the development as unexpected.

Ayodele who insisted that SDP complied with all extant electoral guidelines and procedures ahead of the poll, said that the party was consulting its legal team with a view to exploring all lawful options to address the omission.

He added that the party would not relent in defending mandate of its candidate and urged its members and supporters to remain calm while the matter is being pursued through legal channels. (The Nation)