Ekiti 2026: PDP Still Strong, Our Candidate Will Be on Ballot — Fajuyi

The South-West Zonal Ex-Officio of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lanre Fajuyi, has declared that the party remains strong and active in Ekiti State ahead of the June 2026 governorship election.

Fajuyi insisted that the party’s candidate, Wole Oluyede, will appear on the ballot despite recent controversies surrounding the party’s status.

She spoke with journalists in Ado-Ekiti during the distribution of food items to Muslim faithful under the Bukola Olanrewaju Fajuyi Foundation Foodbank (BOFF Foodbank) initiative.

Fajuyi dismissed claims that the PDP had collapsed following reports of its removal from the list of parties recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to her, the party remains fully operational from the ward level to the national level and is still the most dependable political platform capable of rescuing Ekiti residents from the governance of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“PDP is not dead. From the ward level to the national level, we are active. On Friday, a judgment declared Tanimu Turaki as the only recognised National Chairman of the PDP,” she said.

“There is no division in the party. Everywhere you turn, PDP is on the ground. Oluyede’s name will soon be on the ballot paper. He will contest, and by the special grace of God, he will be the next governor of the state.”

Fajuyi explained that the distribution of food items was aimed at supporting party faithful during the fasting period and fostering unity among members across religious lines.

“We have both Muslims and Christians in PDP. It is important to encourage our people, especially during this fasting period. This token will assist them when it is time to break their fast. The Christians will also have their turn,” she added.

Also speaking, the PDP Chairman in Ado-Ekiti, Michael Odeyemi, affirmed that the party remains firmly in the race for the 2026 governorship election.

He attributed the party’s internal challenges to disgruntled elements but maintained that the court’s recognition of Turaki as national chairman had resolved the leadership dispute.

Odeyemi also commended Fajuyi for her philanthropic efforts, describing her as a woman of virtue whose support for the less privileged should be emulated.

Some beneficiaries of the initiative, including Fatima Ahmed Kazeem, expressed appreciation for the support, noting that it would help ease the burden of feeding their families during the Ramadan fasting period.