Jun 13, 2026

Ekiti Poll: Wike, Fayose No-Show Exposes Deepening PDP Power Struggle

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics

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**Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria—June 13, 2026—**The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, held his grand finale campaign rally on Saturday amid glaring absences of key party leaders, highlighting persistent internal fractures in Ekiti State PDP as the June 20 election draws near.⁠

In what was billed as the party’s final major show of strength before voters head to the polls, the event failed to attract the expected heavyweight presence.

Notably absent were Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike and former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose, the acknowledged leader of the PDP in the state, despite earlier anticipation that they would headline the rally.⁠

The disappointments extended further. Members of the PDP National Working Committee, the State Chairman, the entire State Working Committee, and other prominent stakeholders were nowhere to be found at the venue.

The low turnout of supporters created a subdued atmosphere, standing in sharp contrast to the momentum reportedly building around incumbent Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.⁠

Signs of Internal Disunity Political observers described the rally as a public manifestation of the PDP’s deepening crisis in Ekiti.

A gathering meant to project unity, confidence, and readiness instead underscored poor mobilization, lack of enthusiasm, and unresolved internal contradictions.

Party faithful had hoped the event would energize the campaign in its closing days, but the visible gaps sent the opposite signal.⁠

Dr. Oluyede’s candidacy has been dogged by factional tensions, including reported rifts involving Wike-aligned and Fayose-backed groups. These divisions appear to have undermined coordinated support at this critical juncture.⁠

Implications for June 20 Election With just days remaining before the governorship election, Saturday’s rally may be remembered less as a triumphant finale and more as evidence of a party struggling to unite behind its candidate.

Analysts note that when a party cannot rally its own leaders and structures at such a pivotal moment, convincing the electorate becomes an uphill task.

The PDP in Ekiti enters the final stretch visibly weakened by infighting, even as some reports from the event highlighted pockets of support and appearances by figures like Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.⁠

Governor Oyebanji’s administration, by contrast, continues to enjoy widespread acceptance across the state, according to multiple accounts.

The PDP’s challenge now faces the dual burden of internal disarray and the incumbent’s growing popularity.

As Ekiti voters prepare to decide on June 20, the grand finale’s outcome reinforces questions about the opposition’s cohesion and capacity to mount a credible contest.