Ekiti: Why I’m not challenging Oyebanji’s re-election in court – PDP’s Oluyede

…seeks grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu ahead of 2027

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State election, Dr. Wole Oluyede, has explained why he withdrew his petition challenging the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, insisting that his decision was borne out of statesmanship and the broader national interest rather than any political compromise.

The PDP candidate who had earlier commenced the process to challenge the election at the tribunal withdrew his petition and foreclosed the governorship contest in the interest of the state.

In a statement issued on Sunday and made available to Nigerian Tribune, Oluyede dismissed widespread speculation that he accepted financial inducement to discontinue the case, declaring that neither President Bola Tinubu, Governor Oyebanji, the All Progressives Congress (APC), nor any individual offered him money in exchange for withdrawing the petition.

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“I did not collect a kobo from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the APC or anybody else. I did not sell my mandate. My integrity is not for sale,” he said.

The PDP chieftain maintained that although he still believed the governorship election fell short of the standards of a free, fair and credible poll, his decision to withdraw the case followed extensive consultations with his family, legal team and political associates, as well as careful consideration of the country’s political future.

According to him, the tribunal process was intended to scrutinise the conduct of the election, particularly allegations of voter inducement, intimidation, accreditation challenges and discrepancies involving the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), while also defending the mandate of the over 40,000 Ekiti voters who supported his candidacy.

Oluyede, however, stressed that prolonged litigation would not ultimately serve the larger national interest, saying he chose to move on without abandoning his concerns over electoral integrity.

He also debunked claims that Governor Oyebanji’s post-election visit to his residence, accompanied by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, was linked to any political settlement.

He described the meeting as a reconciliation visit centred on Ekiti’s development and the welfare of some of his supporters arrested during the election.

Looking beyond the governorship poll, Oluyede urged political actors, particularly supporters of President Bola Tinubu, not to interpret the APC’s victory in Ekiti as a guarantee of success in the 2027 presidential election in the state.

While reaffirming his personal support for Tinubu’s re-election, he called for aggressive grassroots mobilisation, sustained voter engagement and wider political inclusion, warning that the presidential election would present a different political landscape.

“The APC cannot rely on assumptions. Every election must be fought afresh and every vote must be earned afresh.

“If President Tinubu is to secure an overwhelming victory in Ekiti in 2027, the work must begin now through genuine grassroots mobilisation and meaningful engagement with the people,” he said.

Oluyede also reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP, describing the party as “alive and formidable” in Ekiti despite its internal challenges, and pledged that his political movement would remain a significant force in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.