The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Oluwole Oluyede, has dismissed claims that next month’s governorship election in the state will be a mere coronation, describing such assertions as undemocratic and an attempt to undermine the people’s will.
Oluyede, who said that Ekiti State operates under a democratic system guided by Nigeria’s Constitution, noted that the June 20 election would be a competitive exercise rather than a ceremonial endorsement of any candidate.
He spoke in a statement by his media aide, Gani Salau, made available in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday.
Candidates of 13 political parties, including Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who is the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress, are participating in the Ekiti governorship election.
There have been insinuations in some quarters that the election would be a walkover or coronation for the governor’s second-term bid.
But the PDP candidate, reacting to a publication titled, “Ekiti ’26: June 20 will be coronation, not election day for BAO,” described the write-up as “self-indulgent and intellectually dishonest,” accusing its author of promoting a narrative capable of misleading the public ahead of the election.
He warned that attempts to portray the outcome of the June 20 election as predetermined were dangerous, adding that such narratives could discourage voter participation and weaken democratic values.
He added that “claims that the election result was already settled raise concerns about respect for the electorate.”
The PDP candidate said, “Ekiti is not a kingdom, and June 20, 2026 cannot be reduced to a coronation. It will be a contest of ideas, credibility, and the free will of the people,” adding that Ekiti people have a long-standing reputation for making independent political decisions and should not be treated as passive observers in determining their future.
Oluyede, who faulted efforts to portray the Oyebanji administration as flawless, said, “The realities facing Ekiti residents tell a different story. Challenges such as unemployment, struggling small businesses, and inadequate infrastructure in rural communities in the state are among key issues requiring attention.”
He said that what obtains in the state at present is far from true inclusivity, as he also rejected descriptions of opposition parties in the state as irrelevant, stressing that “opposition remains a vital component of democracy by ensuring accountability and offering alternatives to the electorate.”
While reaffirming his position that leadership must be earned through the people’s mandate and not imposed through elite consensus or political endorsements, the PDP candidate urged political actors and all election stakeholders, including the media, security agencies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, to play their parts as constitutionally stipulated to ensure a free and fair process.
Oluyede also encouraged Ekiti residents to remain vigilant and exercise their voting rights without fear or intimidation, saying, “Ekiti belongs to its people. June 20, 2026, will not be a coronation; it will be a decision made by the people.”
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