PDP Dead in Ekiti, Declares Fayose as He Endorses Oyebanji for 2026 Governorship Election
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party is “dead” in Ekiti State and that all governorship aspirants under its platform are “fooling themselves,” while endorsing Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress for re-election in 2026.
Speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti on Monday, the former governor said the PDP had lost structure and relevance in the state, insisting that the party had become inactive and directionless.
“In the first place, where is the PDP in Ekiti? To be very honest, where are the party members? Where are PDP meetings being held? The party is totally moribund. It is just the same thing happening at the national level,” Fayose said.
He described the governorship aspirants on the PDP platform as delusional, saying, “There are four aspirants in the PDP. The saddest story of any man’s life is to be fooling himself. Tell me where you have seen a credible gathering of PDP members in this state. I am a major stakeholder, and I am telling you, the party for now is dead in Ekiti.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed June 20, 2026, for the state’s governorship election. Governor Oyebanji has been confirmed as the APC candidate, while the PDP’s four aspirants include Dr. Wole Oluyede, Mrs. Funmi Ogun, Mr. Funso Ayeni, and aviation expert Peter Obafemi.
Fayose said that although he remained a member of the PDP, he would not oppose Oyebanji’s re-election, citing the governor’s performance in office.
“Oyebanji is doing well. I am not a member of the APC and I will never be, but I will not be a part of anybody saying that because I am in an opposition party, I must destroy what is good. Oyebanji is the man the people of Ekiti want till 2030. And I am in support,” he said.
However, the PDP chairman in Ekiti State, Tunji Odeyemi, dismissed Fayose’s comments, describing them as “unfortunate” and untrue.
“It is very unfortunate for a former governor to be making such statements against a party that made him governor twice, but he is not God; the party will surprise him,” Odeyemi said.
He added that the party’s aspirants were actively mobilising across the 177 wards ahead of the primary election scheduled for Saturday, assuring that the process would be transparent and competitive.
“The four aspirants in the PDP are credible individuals, and the primary will be fair and transparent. Our party will be victorious next year,” Odeyemi added.
