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From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
Dr Wole Oluyede, the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 20 June 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, has appealed to the people of the state to turn out en masse and cast their votes for him in next year’s poll.
Oluyede, an Australia-based medical doctor, officially received his Certificate of Return from the Kabiru Taminu Turaki-led National Working Committee of the party in Abuja on Wednesday, 10 December.
He gave the charge at the party’s secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, capital of Ekiti State, during a homecoming ceremony to welcome him back into the state after receiving his Certificate of Return as the party’s candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial election.
Oluyede said, “This is a very massive crowd. All of you are here today because of the love you have for me and the PDP. I thank all of you that are here today, the party members and the entire people of Ekiti State for the unalloyed support you have demonstrated so far.
“This impressive turnout shows that Ekiti PDP is ready and prepared to take over this state by June 20, 2026 by the special grace of God. PDP is known to be a progressive party with lots of goodies for the benefit of the people.
“Today is a day of joy. Some people said we are not going to have a candidate for this election but I am here today presenting myself and my Certificate of Return to you as the PDP gubernatorial candidate for the 2026 election.
“I urge you to continue to support me and transform the love you have for me into votes come June 20, 2026. I will be holding the position of Governor in trust on behalf of the people of Ekiti State next year by the special grace of God and I promise to deliver quality life to the people of the state.”
While promising to run an issue-based campaign, he hinted that his government will prioritise the creation of wealth, improve the health sector, ensure commercial and industrial farming, among others in the state.
“My campaign would be issued-based. Infrastructur-wise, we are no where to be found. We are not creating wealth and I will always talk about that. Our people are not creating wealth and we need to change that anthem. Wealth creation by entrepreneurship, by innovation, by encouraging the youth to grow. We are going to support people to create wealth for themselves
“We are going to look into the health sector. The health sector can do better than what it is doing now.
“Also, Ekiti is an agrarian society. So, our wealth creation will centrer around agriculture. Agriculture does not mean sustenance farming. We are going to do commercial and industrial farming.”
Oluyede charged party members and the people of Ekiti State who do not have Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to register in the ongoing registration exercise.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the PDP in the state, Rt Hon Tunji Odeyemi, said Oluyede is a candidate that has what it takes to win the coming poll.
“Whoever watched the television on Wednesday, December 10 must have seen the various dignitaries that attended the official presentation of the Certificate of Return to Dr Wole Oluyede at the Sheu Musa Yar’Adua Hall in Abuja.”
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Continuing, Odeyemi said, “The race to the government house in 2026 has started in earnest not just today, but the climax of it was what happened in Abuja December 10. I was there when the Certificate of Return was issued to our candidate. That’s the beginning and we are working towards it. We are working ahead to ensure that we do not just have a candidate. We have a candidate that will win the election come June 2026.”
Speaking on the formidability of the PDP and its candidate, the Chairman said,
“When you talk of political parties, the APC is no where to be found. It is just an association not a political party. Mind you, PDP is a party that has its structures all over the country. Regardless of the fact that our party has not been in government, we still exist, we still operate maximally in all the wards, units and local governments in Ekiti State. For me, the template on ground as far as the coming election is concerned favours the PDP by all standards.”
Earlier, in a brief welcome address, the State’s Secretary of the party, Hon Kole Abiodun, congratulated the party’s candidate and his amiable wife and prayed for his victory at next year’s poll. The party scribe used the occasion to inform the gathering that Oluyede would use the opportunity to present his Certificate of Return to Ekiti people.
The former Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government, Hon Deji Ogunsakin, expressed optimism that the candidate would secure victory in next year’s election. “They said the PDP is dead. Can you see the crowd here now? This is the end of APC in Ekiti State. You are the next Governor of Ekiti State come 2026 by the special grace of God.”
A former member of the National Assembly, Senator Duro Faseyi asked God to take final control, “This is the Lord’s doing”. He charged party members to go home and continue to spread the gospel of Oluyede to Ekiti people.
Another former member of the National Assembly, Hon Segun Adekola, expressed displeasure over the unfriendly and hardship situation in Ekiti due to what he called “the maladministration of the APC government.” “I urge electorate to vote against Ekiti APC in the forthcoming election.”
In his remarks, the South West Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Sanya Atofarati, appreciated God for the intervention. “On behalf of the South West of the PDP, please tell Governor Biodun Oyebanji to begin to write his handover note.”
Former Women Leader, South West, Mrs Adesoro, congratulated the party, the members and the candidate. She assured of women support through their votes.
The candidate’s wife, Mrs Kemi Oluyede, thanked Ekiti people especially women for their unflinching support and urged them to continue in that direction.
The former Special Assistant to former Governor Ayodele Fayose on Stomach Infrastructure, Hon Sunday Anifowose, praised Ekiti PDP for the candidature of Oluyede. He urged members to begin to work for the success of the party.
The representative of Hausa community in Ekiti State, Alhaji Musa Konga, said, “Insha Allah, Oluyede will be Governor of Ekiti State in 2026 and Hausa community is solemnly behind him.”
In his solidarity message, Yusuf Jamiu, representative of Ibira community in the state also assured the party of their support to Oluyede at the poll.
Party leaders, executives, members across the 16 local government areas of the state, ethnic groups, students groups, artisans, market women and party supporters among others graced the reception ceremony.
