Ekiti 2026: Turaki dares Wike-led PDP faction to present candidate for governorship election

…As Dr. Oluwole Olayide receives certificate of return.

CYRIL MBAH, Abuja

The National Chairman of the mainstream Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barrister Kabiru Saminu Turaki (SAN) has dared the faction led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike to present its candidate for the Ekiti State Governorship Election to enable the world know which of the two factions of the party will be approved and recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Barr. Turaki gave the challenge in Abuja on Wednesday after presenting the PDP flag and Certificate of Return to Dr. Oluwole Olayide, the gubernatorial candidate of the party for the Ekiti State Governorship Election coming up next year.

The National Chairman told the gathering at the prestigious Yar’adua Centre that INEC endorsed the presentation and was duly represented at the event as well as at the primary election which produced the candidate.

Turaki charged the candidate to see his selection as an endorsement and a challenge to help the party win Ekiti State in the election, which will be highly competitive.

He stated that the PDP still remains a party of choice for the majority of Nigerians and urged the candidate to regard his candidacy as a mandate to win Ekiti State for the opposition party.

In a brief response, the PDP candidate thanked the leadership of the party for finding him worthy of the honour and he promised to fly the PDP flag with a sense of responsibility and to visit every local government area of the state and ensure victory for the party.

He commended the primary election Organising Committee for doing a marvelous job despite the daunting challenges that presented themselves before the panel.

Dr. Olayide also promised the people of Ekiti State that voting for him and the PDP would translate into long-awaited liberation and rapid economic transformation for the state.

The gathering was a convergence of prominent members of the PDP from several states including former governors, National Assembly members and ministers, as well as the PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara.