The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West region has announced that its Ekiti State chapter is being restructured to ensure success in the upcoming 2026 governorship election.

Additionally, the party affirmed that it remains vibrant and active as efforts to address the ongoing crisis within the party’s national leadership are in progress.

However, party leaders have downplayed the influence of PDP chieftain and former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, in determining the election results in the state.

OsunDaily reports that the publicity secretary of PDP in the South West, Chief Sanya Atofarati, made this statement in Ikere Ekiti during the inauguration of various committees and sub-committees established to rally support for a PDP governorship aspirant in the state, Dr. Wole Oluyede.

Atofarati, who led other party leaders from the Southwest at the event, urged party leaders and members to unite and prepare for the challenges ahead, emphasising that the PDP is committed to reclaiming power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

“Our leaders from the national and zone are here in solidarity to give support to the party in the state and to show that, this time around, we are not letting go, we are believing in PDP, and we will work together with all members of the party to achieve victory. At the national, zonal and state levels, PDP is greatly united.

“So, the government in power should start preparing to leave in 2026, because there is no more room for the antics of divide and rule they are orchestrating in our party again. We are appealing to all our people in Ikere Ekiti and the whole South senatorial district of the state, not to accept any deputy governorship ticket from anybody but to accept only the Governorship ticket.

“This work we can’t do alone, but we need the support of our people from the central and north senatorial district to achieve our aim of winning the 2026 guber poll,” Atofarati noted.

The PDP zonal spokesman, who warned those he branded as impostors to stop claiming to speak on behalf of Ekiti PDP on the relationship with PDP, thanked Dr Oluyede for offering to lead the struggle.

“By God’s grace, this marks the beginning of our journey to the government house,” Atofarati added.

PDP Will Fully Bounce Back

In his address, the Zonal Organising Secretary of the PDP in the South West, Hon. Benson Amuwa, stated that the party remains viable and robust, with individuals still eager to contest elections and campaign under its banner.

Amuwa remarked, “The PDP is in the process of rebuilding, and we will gradually regain our rightful position. We are preparing for the NEC meeting and national convention shortly, and the party will make the necessary corrections.”

Fayose Has Lost His Political Influence

The PDP zonal leader criticised former Ekiti governor, Ayodele Fayose, along with others who have benefited from the party and utilised its platform to fulfil their political ambitions, for undermining the party.

However, he noted that Fayose has lost his political influence and momentum, and his support will not secure victory for anyone or any party in future elections.

“Fayose supported his own biological son to run on the platform of the party for the House of Representatives in the last general election, but he didn’t win. It shows there is no support he can give another person that will translate to victory.

“With due respect to our leaders, the likes of Fayose have lost their base and once the base is taken away, nothing stands since you cannot put something on nothing. All they are doing now is using their old and former identity to get whatever they can from the incumbent governor. What made Fayose a governor, then, were the people,” Amuwa said.

Amuwa added that the former governor appears not to be aware of the current state of the country, and Nigerians are tired of the suffering they are currently experiencing.

He said: “It is the people who are feeling it, who know it, and they are the ones who are going to vote, not Fayose, so how much support is he going to bring. We are not losing anybody by losing our leader, Fayose, as a party. He has taken his share and chosen to go away. But the masses of Ekiti know that this is the time for PDP to move forward and higher”.

While referencing the notion that one’s identity or affiliations do not solely define politics, he remarked that in 2014, the PDP had 22 state governors yet lost the presidential election to the APC, which at that time had fewer than 11 state governors. By 2023, the APC had nearly 19 governors, and President Bola Tinubu managed to secure victory in only 12 states, whereas Peter Obi’s Labour Party, despite having no governors, also won in 12 states, and PDP’s Atiku Abubakar similarly won in 12 states.

This indicates that it is ultimately the electorate that decides the outcome of elections.

Other PDP leaders present at the event include, former Ondo State Commissioner for Community Development, Hon. Clement Faboyede, former Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kola Oluwole, Hon Wale Ayeni, Hon. Lanre Fajuyi, Special Assistant to Osun State Governor, Hon. Rasak Adewoyin, Hon. Samuel Agboola, among others.