The Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State is set to participate in the December 29 local government elections after the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) received its list of chairmanship and councillorship candidates.
The development signals a fresh turn in the leadership crisis rocking the PDP, with OYSIEC accepting the list submitted by the faction loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The party submitted the candidates’ list to OYSIEC in a letter dated July 30, 2026, signed by the state chairman, Professor Rahman Akinoso.
A copy of the letter was made available to journalists in Ibadan on Sunday by the Directorate of Media of the Oyo State chapter of the party.
In the letter addressed to the OYSIEC chairman, the party notified the commission of its participation in the council elections and attached the names of its candidates for the various positions.
The party said its primaries were conducted peacefully and in accordance with the rules and regulations governing the exercise.
The acceptance of the list comes against the backdrop of the wider leadership dispute within the PDP, particularly over which faction controls the party’s national structure.
The development is also being viewed in political circles as consistent with the position recently adopted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has dealt with the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee in preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Political observers said OYSIEC’s decision could have implications for the competing PDP factions in Oyo State, where Governor Seyi Makinde is believed to back a rival structure led by Tanimu Turaki.
A party chieftain, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the electoral commission’s decision was expected in view of recent court pronouncements concerning the PDP leadership dispute.
“With INEC already recognising the Abdulrahman-led NWC in the 2027 process, it would have been difficult for OYSIEC to take a different position in a state election,” the source said.
With the submission of the candidates’ list, the Wike-backed faction is expected to contest the December 29 council elections across the state’s 33 local government areas.
Efforts to obtain reactions from the Makinde-backed faction and OYSIEC were unsuccessful as of press time.
The Oyo State local government elections are scheduled for December 29, 2026.
