The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ekiti State, Daramola Owoola, has warned that without the name of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, on the ballot paper, there will be no election in Ekiti in 2026.
Owoola made this known on Tuesday at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office, New Iyin road, Ado Ekiti, during a protest staged by members of the PDP, artisans, okada riders, ethics groups and members of other political parties against the non-inclusion of Oluyede in the provisional list released last week by INEC.
The IPAC chairman stated, ‘I’m here to convey the message of all political parties in Ekiti State under IPAC that the moment Dr. Wole Oluyede doesn’t appear on the ballot paper, forget about the forthcoming election.’ We’re not going to participate in the election, and you know what it means”.
Owoola was accompanied to the INEC office by the Chairman of the Accord Party, Phillips Oluropo Adeniji.
He was of the opinion that INEC will do the needful, saying, “We all know that INEC won’t want to truncate the process of having a government in Ekiti State in 2026″.
“I’m happy that according to INEC, PDP followed the normal process for the conduct of the primary election and there’s no reason why PDP and others should be excluded and if this stands, we shall boycott the election “.
The Head of Election and Party Monitoring, Kehinde Mustapha welcomed the party leaders and assured that their interest would be attended to.
“In line with section 82 (2) of the Electoral Act, we sent representatives to monitor the primary. We don’t know anything that happened later. We’re with you and we appreciate the protest. On behalf of REC, we welcome you”.
The INEC Head of Department, Legal, Tunde Salako, assured that the commission is working within the time frame and advised that they should go further to inform the headquarters about the development.
Salako opined: “INEC has no constitutional right to disqualify a candidate. The headquarters is in a position to explain better, and as a commission that obeys the law, we don’t have an option. Channel your letter or grievances to Abuja, which is always in charge of this “.
“Some of us are good Christians and Muslims, we’re not going to be biased, and we’re going to be free and fair in our conduct,” he assured.
The leader of the delegation to INEC, Deji Ogunsakin intimated INEC that the November 8 PDP primary that produced Dr. Wole Oluyede was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere without problem.
“There was no court case or injunction; we had our peaceful election without a parallel election. Nigerians would want to know why Dr. Wole Oluyede s name was not among the provisional list.
“We had it on good authority that APC is working with INEC in order to disqualify PDP and I urge INEC to demonstrate neutrality”
“On behalf of Dr. Wole Oluyede, I ask for due process from INEC because the primary election produced Dr. Wole Oluyede without a parallel election. APC has post primary cases and PDP doesn’t. You’ve given us very good advice and we shall abide by it”.
“IPAC has made it clear that they will boycott the election if the situation doesn’t change. Ekiti people are earnestly asking for change and the incumbent is afraid of contesting against other parties. We’re going home to tell our supporters that we’ve met with you and we’re going to deliver the message” Ogunsakin reiterated.
The former chairman of the PDP, South West, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, thanked party members, other political parties, artisans, okada riders, and well-wishers who joined the peaceful protest, and they should await further directives.
Various placards with inscriptions: Release Dr. Wole Oluyede s name now for 2026. Oluyede is the alternative for 2026. Ekiti APC should allow competition. BAO is afraid of Oluyede. We ask BAO to prepare for defeat. BAO should prepare his handover note now.
Other leaders at the INEC office, venue of the protest were, the Deputy Chairman, Honourable Ebenezer Oladipo, state secretary of the party, Kole Abiodun former Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Kola Oluwawole, the Zonal officer, Mrs Lanre Fajuyi, the former chairman, Irepodun Ifelodun Local Government, Elder Martins Ibikunle, the chairman of chairmen, Aare Yemi Ajanaku, other Local Government party chairmen, Local Government Coordinators, party leaders, women prayer wing.
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