Oluyede: Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election Should Not Be Taken For Granted

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, Oluwole Oluyede, has warned that President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 should not be taken for granted, despite the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s victory in the state’s governorship poll.

Oluyede, who finished second in the June 20 election, said the governorship outcome should not be seen as proof of the APC’s absolute political dominance in Ekiti, stressing that the 2027 presidential election would present a different political landscape with broader voter participation and stiffer competition.

He urged the APC and Tinubu’s supporters to begin grassroots mobilisation early, saying every vote would have to be earned.

The PDP candidate also denied allegations that he withdrew his petition before the Election Petition Tribunal after receiving financial inducement from President Tinubu, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the APC or any other individual.

“I did not collect a kobo from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the APC or anybody else in exchange for withdrawing my case,” he said, adding that his decision followed consultations with his family, political associates and legal team.

Oluyede maintained that he approached the tribunal to seek the truth and examine alleged irregularities in the electoral process, including concerns over BVAS, voter accreditation and election results, but chose to discontinue the case after what he described as careful reflection and in the interest of statesmanship.

He clarified that Governor Oyebanji’s post-election visit was not connected to the election outcome or any settlement, saying the discussion centred on the release of his supporters who were detained during the election.

On the crisis within the PDP, Oluyede blamed internal divisions for weakening his campaign, describing himself as an “unsupported PDP candidate” caught between rival factions of the party.

Despite the challenges, he insisted the PDP remains a formidable force in Ekiti, citing the party’s performance in the election as evidence of its continued relevance.

Looking ahead to
2027, Oluyede said the presidential election would attract more voters than the governorship poll and warned against complacency.

“Every election must be fought afresh. Every vote must be earned afresh,” he said, urging supporters of President Tinubu to intensify grassroots engagement and communicate the Renewed Hope Agenda effectively ahead of the next general election.