- INEC was formally notified of its governorship primary election, monitored the exercise
- The party explained that it was compelled to submit its nomination documents manually at INEC’s office
- While warning that actions perceived as partisan could undermine public confidence
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of deliberate bias following the omission of its governorship candidate from the list of aspirants cleared to contest the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the opposition party, in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, described the development as another clear indication of what it called INEC’s prejudiced handling of matters relating to the PDP.
According to the party, INEC was formally notified of its governorship primary election, monitored the exercise, and later submitted reports confirming that the process was conducted in line with existing electoral laws and democratic standards.
The PDP further alleged that after the primary election, INEC released nomination portal access codes to enable the party complete the submission of its candidate’s details, only for the commission to allegedly block the portal a few days to the submission deadline.
The party explained that it was compelled to submit its nomination documents manually at INEC’s office, stressing that the commission acknowledged receipt of the documents submitted.
The PDP insisted that INEC ought to have exercised due diligence by listing Oluwole Oluyede as its duly nominated governorship candidate, noting that there was no opposing submission before the commission disputing the validity of his nomination.
It also stated that no court order exists restraining INEC from recognising Oluyede as the party’s flagbearer, adding that the commission’s own monitoring report validated both the primaries and the nomination process.
The opposition party disclosed that it has commenced legal action to compel INEC to include its candidate on the official list of contestants for the election.
“Having failed to act as expected, our party has taken immediate steps to seek judicial intervention to compel INEC to do what it should have done in the first instance,” the statement read.
The PDP further urged the electoral body to remain faithful to its constitutional role, reminding the commission that Nigerians expect fairness, neutrality, and independence in the management of the electoral process.
While warning that actions perceived as partisan could undermine public confidence, the party stressed that INEC must always act in defence of democracy rather than in opposition to it.
