Dr. Wole Oluyede, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, has pledged to use his mandate to serve the people and restore good governance in the state. He made the appeal while calling on Ekiti residents to support his ambition.
Oluyede gave the assurance on Wednesday during the formal presentation of his Certificate of Return by the PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Speaking at the ceremony, Oluyede said:
“This mandate is to serve Ekiti people and not just 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 and restore good governance to Ekiti State.”
He also urged his co-aspirants to put aside any grievances and avoid court actions, saying litigation would only serve as a distraction ahead of the crucial election.
In his remarks, PDP National Chairman Turaki reaffirmed the party’s readiness to reclaim Ekiti State from what he described as the “failed APC administration.” He said the presentation of the Certificate of Return signaled the beginning of the PDP’s journey back to the Ekiti State Government House.
“Let me assure the great people of Ekiti State that we will win the 2026 governorship election. Our candidate, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, is a man of the people, and the PDP remains the only party with a genuine blueprint for shared prosperity and sustainable development,” he said.
Turaki praised the unity displayed during the November 8, 2025 governorship primary in Ado-Ekiti, which was supervised by the Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo-led committee and observed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He said the peaceful and transparent process demonstrated the PDP’s preparedness to present a united front against the ruling APC.
The chairman also called on INEC to ensure neutrality and provide a level playing field during the 2026 election.
In his acceptance speech, Oluyede expressed gratitude to the National Working Committee and party members for their confidence in him. He promised to run an issue-based campaign focused on providing solutions to the economic challenges confronting Ekiti citizens.
Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, who led members of the National Assembly to the event, criticized the APC-led federal government for its management of the nation’s finances. He lamented the alleged failure to implement the 2025 budget, describing it as evidence of poor governance and lack of accountability.
“This non-implementation of the budget even at the year’s end is a grave sign of mismanagement. The people must ask what the government is trying to hide. The PDP will use its oversight powers to expose all financial recklessness,” Moro stated.
PDP National Secretary, Taofik Arapaja, praised party leaders and members for their support while urging continued unity. He described Ekiti as a stronghold of the PDP and vowed that the party would not allow its mandate to be compromised.
The event, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, was well-attended by party leaders, serving and former lawmakers, business figures, and supporters. Members of the Ekiti PDP women’s wing also entertained guests with traditional songs as Oluyede and his wife, Kemi, danced in appreciation.
It will be recalled that Oluyede emerged the PDP flagbearer on November 8, 2025, after securing the highest number of votes in a primary election conducted by the Dankwambo-led committee and monitored by INEC.
