In Ekiti State on Wednesday, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Wole Oluyede, announced that he will begin his campaign across the state ahead of the June 20 governorship election, following court decisions that confirmed him as the party’s candidate and directed Independent National Electoral Commission to include his name on the ballot.
Oluyede made this known in Ikere Ekiti during a rally held to welcome him after the legal battles surrounding his candidacy were resolved. The dispute began after another aspirant, Funso Ayeni, challenged the outcome of the party’s primary election, leading to a lower court nullifying the exercise and calling for a fresh primary.
This development earlier led INEC to exclude the PDP and its candidate from the published list for the election. However, subsequent rulings by higher courts overturned the earlier decision and affirmed Oluyede as the rightful candidate, compelling the electoral body to recognise him.
With the legal issues settled, Oluyede stated that his campaign would cover the three senatorial districts and all 16 local government areas in the state. He expressed confidence in his chances at the poll and said he was ready to govern, adding that his administration would focus on rebuilding key sectors such as roads, healthcare, and education, which he described as needing urgent attention.
He also said the challenges faced during the legal process had strengthened his resolve and prepared him for the election. According to him, his experience and long involvement in the affairs of the state place him in a strong position to lead.
The state chairman of the PDP, Tunji Odeyemi, also expressed confidence in the party’s chances, stating that the candidate remains valid and that the party is ready for the election. He added that the campaign would present the party’s plans to the people while addressing areas where the current administration has fallen short.
The development sets the stage for an active political contest in Ekiti State as parties prepare for the June 20 governorship election.