Dr Wole Oluyede, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2026 gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, has said he would use the mandate given to him to serve the people of the state and restore good governance, while appealing to residents to support him to realise his ambition.
Oluyede made the remarks at the official presentation of the Certificate of Return to him by the national chairman of the party, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), in Abuja on Wednesday.
Oluyede said: “This mandate is to serve Ekiti people and not to remain as a candidate. Good people of Ekiti State, this is your project, this is our project. I need your full support to make this a reality.
“I will listen to my people and make accountability my watchword. I will ensure good policies and programmes that will move Ekiti forward. My mandate is to deliver quality life to the people and restore good governance in Ekiti State.
“As a family, my co-aspirants have rights to court but they should sheathe their swords and let us move forward. Going to court is a distraction.”
At the event, the PDP national chairman assured the gathering of the party’s readiness to win the 2026 governorship election in the state. He noted that with the presentation of the Certificate of Return to Oluyede, the party was determined to rescue the state from what he described as the “current failed administration of the All Progressives Congress that has been ruling the state in recent years.”
While expressing absolute confidence in the party’s structure, unity and the marketability of its candidate, Turaki said the PDP remained the only party that could provide shared prosperity and sustainable development in the country.
“The presentation of this Certificate of Return marks the beginning of the journey back to Government House, Ado-Ekiti. Let me assure the great people of Ekiti State, we will win the Ekiti gubernatorial election in 2026. Our candidate, Dr Oluwole Oluyede, is a man of the people, and the PDP is the only party with a genuine blueprint for shared prosperity and sustainable development in Nigeria.”
Turaki expressed delight at the uncommon unity demonstrated during the 8 November 2025 gubernatorial primary election in Ado-Ekiti, supervised by the Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo-led electoral committee and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, the peaceful election process signalled the party’s preparedness to present a formidable and unshakeable front against the incumbent APC in Ekiti State.
The national chairman called on INEC to ensure a level playing field and maintain neutrality in the conduct of the 2026 election and reiterated the party’s determination to secure victory.
In his acceptance speech, Oluyede thanked the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party and all members for their faith and confidence in him and promised to run an issue-based campaign focused on addressing the economic hardships faced by citizens of Ekiti State.
A ranking member of the National Assembly and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, who led his colleagues at the event, raised concerns about the management of Nigeria’s finances under the current APC government.
Moro also expressed regret that the current administration was yet to implement the 2025 Budget, a development he said “confirms the ruling APC’s poor management skills and lack of accountability.”
He said: “This action of non-implementation of the 2025 budget even at the last month of the year is a grave indicator of the APC’s mismanagement and lack of accountability. The people must ask, what are they trying to cover up? The PDP will use its legislative oversight to expose all financial recklessness in Nigeria.”
The PDP National Secretary, Taofik Arapaja, thanked party leaders for their support and urged them to continue in that direction.
Arapaja, however, queried: “You say the party is dead and you are still fighting it. What do we call that? We are celebrating the party today. I appreciate the candidate and his resilience. This is PDP mandate. Ekiti state is our stronghold. We shall not allow them to trade this mandate again.
“Go home and meet with your people and with God Almighty, victory is assured. Thank you for showing gratitude to get the party’s ticket. Some people have forgotten yesterday that they used this platform but we shall build on our hold.”
The Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Hall, venue of the carnival-like ceremony, was filled to the brim with dignitaries and members, including members of the National Working Committee, leaders, serving and former members of the National Assembly, the Ekiti PDP delegation, business moguls, captains of industry and well-wishers.
The women wing of Ekiti PDP thrilled the gathering with songs while Dr Wole Oluyede and his wife, Kemi Oluyede, danced in appreciation to the admiration of the people.
It will be recalled that the PDP conducted its 2026 governorship primary election in Ekiti State on 8 November 2025, where Dr Oluyede was declared the winner by the Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo-led electoral committee in the presence of INEC, after securing the highest votes and defeating other aspirants in the contest.
