PDP Gubernatorial Aspirant Alleges Delegate List Manipulation in Ekiti Primary Election
A major controversy has erupted in Ekiti State as People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial aspirant Mrs. Ogun Funmilaayo Theresa accuses party officials of manipulating the delegate list for the upcoming primary election scheduled for Saturday, January 8, 2025.
Speaking at a press conference in Ado-Ekiti, Ogun revealed that the official delegate list released by the party significantly differs from the authentic list produced during the October 20, 2025 ad-hoc congresses, which were monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The aspirant from Orin-Ekiti in Ido Local Government Area claimed that legitimate delegates who purchased nomination forms and participated in the congresses have been replaced with individuals who neither bought forms nor attended the events. Most notably, Ogun discovered her own name had been removed from the delegate list in her ward.
“Before you can participate in a congress, you must obtain a nomination form. For people who didn’t buy forms to now appear on the list as winners is the height of impunity,” Ogun stated during the briefing.
The allegations gained support from Aare Oluyemi Ajanaku, Chairman of the PDP Local Government Chairmen, who confirmed the irregularities. Ajanaku detailed how the original congress, supervised by Senator Ningi and witnessed by INEC, police, and DSS officers, produced results that were properly documented but later altered.
In response to the situation, Ogun has appealed to INEC Chairman Professor Ojo Amupitan to intervene by refusing to recognize any primary election conducted using the allegedly doctored list. She has also submitted formal complaints to both INEC and the PDP National Secretariat, including certified true copies of the original congress results.
The controversy takes on additional significance as Ogun seeks to become Nigeria’s first elected female governor since the return to democracy. “Since the beginning of this democratic era, no woman has ever been elected governor in Nigeria. I am determined to change that narrative through due process,” she declared.
The aspirant has warned of potential legal action if the party fails to address the situation before the primary election, emphasizing that the manipulation threatens not only her ambition but also the principles of democratic fairness and gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.
As tensions rise within the Ekiti State PDP, the outcome of this controversy could significantly impact both the party’s primary election and its chances in the upcoming gubernatorial race.
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