The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the amended final list of candidates for the June 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, thus clearing 14 political parties to contest the election.
Displayed at the commission’s headquarters, the list features the candidates, their running mates, ages, educational qualifications and political parties, setting the stage for what is expected to be a keenly contested election.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is seeking a second term and will face challengers from 13 other political parties. Other candidates are:
- Opeyemi Falegan of the Accord Party,
- Oluwadare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC),
- Oyebanji Olajuyin of the Labour Party (LP),
- Blessing Abegunde of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP),
- Bidemi Awogbemi of the Action People’s Party (APP),
- Ayodeji Ojo of the Action Democratic Party (ADP),
- Samuel Akande of the African Action Congress (AAC),
- Olaniyi Ayodele of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
- Olu Omotoso of the Action Alliance (AA),
- Joseph Anifowose of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM),
- Victor Adetunji of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and
- Ayodele Osinkolu of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
The list also contained the respective deputy candidates. It also reflects recent legal developments affecting some political parties, with court orders indicated against some entries in the remarks column.
INEC urged political parties, candidates and voters to acquaint themselves with the final list as preparations for the governorship election gather momentum.
With campaigns winding down, attention is now shifting to the electorate, who will decide the next occupant of the Ekiti State Government House on Saturday.
