By Emmanuel Onwusoro, Ado Ekiti
Tuesday January 13, 2026
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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has formally inaugurated its campaign council ahead of the 2026 governorship election, with its candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, announcing Hon. Deji Ogunsakin as his deputy governorship candidate.
At the inauguration ceremony held on Tuesday at the Green Hill Hotel, Ikere-Ekiti, the former Acting Governor of Ekiti State and State Chairman of the PDP, Rt. Hon. Tunji Odeyemi, was appointed Chairman of the Campaign Council, while the former South-West Chairman of the party, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, emerged as Director-General.
Party leaders and stakeholders were urged to deploy their wealth of experience to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and reposition Ekiti State.
Addressing party members, Dr Oluyede congratulated the campaign council members and recalled the pivotal role played by Chief Ogundipe during the 2014 governorship election, when the PDP secured victory under his leadership as state chairman.
Visibly elated, Oluyede declared that the inauguration marked the formal commencement of the party’s journey to Oke Ayaba, despite what he described as deliberate obstacles placed before the PDP.
“Today marks the beginning of our march to Oke Ayaba. Despite the challenges, our party remains the only one in Ekiti State that conducted its primary election in full compliance with the extant laws of the land, from which I emerged as the duly elected candidate,” he said.
He accused political opponents of orchestrating distractions out of fear of the PDP’s growing strength in the state, describing such actions as “shenanigans by detractors.”
The PDP candidate expressed appreciation to South-West PDP leaders and Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, for intervening after the party’s primary election to foster unity and reconciliation.
Oluyede also commended his fellow aspirants for their support before and after the primary, calling for genuine reconciliation within the party.
“I thank all my co-aspirants, especially Otunba Peter Obafemi and Mrs Funmi Ogun. I have also reached out to Prince Funsho Ayeni. While he has the constitutional right to seek legal redress, Governor Seyi Makinde has appealed to him to withdraw the case, with judgment expected tomorrow,” Oluyede stated.
Questioning Ayeni’s reluctance to heed the party leader’s advice, Oluyede maintained that the Supreme Court had already ruled such matters as internal party affairs, adding that the PDP was not worried about the outcome.
He also referenced the controversy surrounding INEC’s provisional list, saying the commission’s admission of error on December 29 only boosted his popularity.
“If this issue is not corrected, there will be no election in Ekiti State,” he warned, adding that the PDP was unfazed and fully focused on its campaign.
“The issue of INEC does not exist for me anymore. Today, we are inaugurating our campaign council, and we are moving forward,” he said.
Oluyede explained that time constraints influenced the choice of his running mate, revealing that three names were submitted to the selection committee before Hon. Deji Ogunsakin was eventually chosen.
He painted a grim picture of Ekiti State under Governor Biodun Oyebanji, accusing the APC-led government of underperformance.
“Ekiti is groaning — the wind, the trees, everyone is complaining. The only achievement of the APC government is removing my name. Biodun Oyebanji has failed woefully and must be demoted. Our government will be progressive and people-centred,” Oluyede said.
In his remarks, Deputy Governorship candidate Deji Ogunsakin criticised the Oyebanji administration and expressed confidence that Oluyede would emerge as the next governor of Ekiti State.
He faulted the disqualification of APC aspirants Engr. Kayode Ojo and Mrs Jumoke Abimbola, insisting that such actions should not be extended to other parties.
“They say PDP is dead in Ekiti, yet they keep troubling us. If we are truly irrelevant, they should leave us alone. We are taking over this state on June 20, 2026,” Ogunsakin declared.
He proceeded to unveil the campaign council structure, confirming Rt. Hon. Tunji Odeyemi as Council Chairman and Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe as Director-General, with Kole Abiodun, the state secretary of the party, serving as Council Secretary.
Former House of Representatives member Segun Adekola and former Head of Service, Dr Gbenga Faseluka, were appointed Deputy Director-General (Field Operations) and Deputy Director-General (Strategy and Research) respectively.
Former Chief Press Secretary to ex-Governor Ayodele Fayose, Elder Idowu Adelusi, was named Press Secretary/Spokesman to the Campaign Council, while Chief Sanya Atofarati, the party’s Zonal Publicity Secretary, will serve as Director of Media and Communications. Gani Salau was appointed Media Adviser and Spokesman to the governorship candidate.
Each senatorial district will have supporting deputies to strengthen coordination, while local government and ward chairmen will head campaign structures in their respective areas. Otunba Peter Obafemi , a former aspirant, was appointed Adviser to the Campaign Council, and Elder Martins Ibikunle, former chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, was named Secretary.
On women mobilisation, former South-West Women Leader Mrs Adesoro, former State Women Leader Mrs Sade Akinrinmola, and other notable women leaders will work alongside the candidate’s wife, Mrs Kemi Oluyede, on women advocacy and mobilisation across the state.
In his acceptance speech, Director-General Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe thanked the party for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to replicate the PDP’s 2014 electoral success.
“This is another opportunity for us to reclaim government. I will no longer call Dr Wole Oluyede a candidate — he is the next governor of Ekiti State by God’s grace. APC in this state is dangerous, and we must work tirelessly,” he said.
He urged members to return to their wards, stressing that elections are won at the polling units.
The Zonal Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, reminded members of Ogundipe’s past success, expressing confidence in his ability to deliver victory again.
Although State Chairman Rt. Hon. Tunji Odeyemi was absent due to an overseas trip, the Deputy Chairman, Hon. Ebenezer Oladipo, welcomed party members on his behalf and urged the council to work diligently.
Former Ekiti State House of Assembly member Wale Ayeni thanked attendees and wished them safe journeys home.
The event attracted party leaders from all 16 local government areas, former lawmakers, commissioners, council chairmen, and other stakeholders.
It will be recalled that the PDP conducted its governorship primary on November 8, producing Dr Wole Oluyede as its flagbearer.
In line with INEC’s timetable and the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022, the party’s campaign is expected to commence immediately after the official release of candidates’ names.
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