EKITI 2026: INEC Excludes 2 Parties From Final List.

The Peoples Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Party have been left out of the final list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State.

According to an official document obtained by our correspondent, the names of the PDP governorship candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, and the SDP candidate, David Bankole, were not included in the list issued by INEC.

It was reliably gathered that the exclusion of the PDP and SDP candidates was due to unresolved court cases concerning leadership disputes within both parties.

The disputes, it was learnt, are still pending before the courts and have not been conclusively determined.

The document further showed that only 12 political parties satisfied the requirements to participate in the governorship election following the disqualification of the PDP and SDP.

According to the list released by the electoral body, the All Progressives Congress is fielding the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, aged 58, with Mrs Monisade Afuye, aged 67, as his running mate.

Other candidates include Opeyemi Falegan, 41, of the Accord Party, who is contesting with Omoyeni Bayode, 48, as his deputy.

The African Action Congress is presenting Akande Oluwasegun, 36, alongside Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe, while the Action Democratic Party is fielding Ayodeji Ojo, 42, with Itunu Ibitoye, 35, as his running mate.

The African Democratic Congress is featuring Oluwadare Bejide, 66, with Babatola Ayodeji, 65.

Also on the list are Bidemi Awogbemi, 36, and Akinyemi Adewumi, 53, representing the Action People’s Party.

The Allied People’s Movement is presenting Joseph Anifowose, 65, with Margaret Ilesanmi, 68, as his deputy governorship candidate.