Fayose Declares PDP ‘Dead’ in Ekiti, Endorses APC’s Oyebanji for 2026 Poll

Former Ekiti State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Ayodele Fayose, has declared that the PDP is “dead” in the state, insisting that all its governorship aspirants are “deceiving themselves.”

Speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti on Monday, Fayose said the PDP no longer has a functional structure in Ekiti, describing the party as moribund both at the state and national levels. “In the first place, where is the PDP in Ekiti? Where are the members? Where are PDP meetings being held? The party is completely lifeless,” he stated.

Fayose lamented that the four PDP aspirants seeking the party’s ticket were only engaging in self-deception. He, however, praised the incumbent Governor, Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for his leadership and predicted a landslide victory for him in the June 20, 2026, governorship election. “Oyebanji is doing well. I’m not in APC and will never be, but I can’t condemn good governance because I’m in opposition. He’s the people’s choice till 2030,” Fayose said.

Although reaffirming his membership of the PDP, Fayose maintained that he would continue to speak the truth regardless of party lines. “I remain a PDP member, but I will support good governance wherever I see it,” he added.

Reacting to Fayose’s remarks, Ekiti PDP Chairman, Tunji Odeyemi, described the statement as “unfortunate,” asserting that the party remains strong and united. “It’s regrettable that a former governor would speak so carelessly about the party that made him. He is not God — PDP will surprise him,” Odeyemi said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed June 20, 2026, for the Ekiti governorship election, with Oyebanji already confirmed as the APC candidate. Four aspirants — Dr. Wole Oluyede, Mrs. Funmi Ogun, Mr. Funso Ayeni, and Peter Obafemi — are in the race for the PDP ticket, as the PDP, APC, and African Democratic Congress (ADC) prepare to contest for the state’s top seat.