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The People’s Democratic Party(PDP) gubernatorial candidate for the June 20, 2026, poll, Dr Wole Oluyede, has raised alarm over what he described as increasing harassment, intimidation, and persecution of members of his party in Ekiti State.
The PDP candidate accused the ruling party of employing tactics aimed at silencing dissenting voices and weakening democratic institutions ahead of future political activities.
The allegations come amid growing calls for all political actors to promote peaceful engagement and avoid actions capable of heightening political tension in the country.
Addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti on the weekend, Oluyede alleged that the state government had shifted attention from pressing security challenges confronting residents to targeting political opponents.
Represented by his running mate, Deji Ogunsakin maintained that several of its members had been arrested and detained for legitimate political engagement, including displaying campaign materials and decorating vehicles with party insignia.
According to him, some of the people arrested included ward officials and grassroots supporters who were picked up during raids on their homes.
He urged Tinubu to demonstrate impartiality and protect the rights of all Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation, while also appealing to security agencies to remain neutral and professional in the discharge of their duties as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.
“This is a very sensitive period for Ekiti State. We have people who have been kidnapped and are still in captivity as we speak, yet the government appears more focused on opposition members than on addressing the security concerns facing the people.
“We are not losing sleep over what is happening. We are going around the state, meeting people and consulting stakeholders. We are confident that Ekiti people are ready for change and that change is represented by Dr. Wole Oluyede.
“We don’t even know the exact number anymore. Some were arrested in their homes. Their families are crying. Some are in detention, and others have been remanded. The prison should not become a home for political opposition members.
“The President belongs to all Nigerians. There is no opposition when it comes to governance. He has a constitutional responsibility to protect every citizen and ensure that democratic rights are respected.
“President Tinubu has been in politics for decades. In Lagos, opposition parties have operated freely. People criticise the President every day without being arrested. We do not believe it is in his interest to support the harassment of opposition members”.
Speaking in the same vein, the South-West Zonal Publicity Secretary of the party, Sanya Atofarati, said harassment and intimidation cannot save the ruling party from imminent defeat.
“We are ready. We know we are winning the election, so we are not afraid. We are ready to be detained if necessary, but what we are saying is that the people of Ekiti deserve justice, and justice means good governance.
“The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and he has a responsibility to protect every Nigerian.
“There is no opposition when it comes to governance. He is the President of all Nigerians, and our interests should also be his interests.
The PDP spokesman urged him to uphold his constitutional responsibility as the leader of the nation and ensure that all political actors enjoy equal protection under the law, regardless of party affiliation.
Atofarati further called on Tinubu to exonerate himself from allegations suggesting that Governor Oyebanji’s actions against opposition figures are being encouraged or supported by the Presidency.
“There are speculations that what is happening is being empowered by the Presidency. We do not believe that President Bola Tinubu is likely to be part of such actions, but he should exonerate himself from these allegations”.
The Chairman of PDP in Ikere Local Government Area of the State, Sunday Ashana, expressed concern over the arrest of 12 party members, including two individuals whose whereabouts he claimed remained unknown after they were reportedly taken away by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).
According to him, the arrest, which occurred in Ikere-Ekiti, has implications beyond the local government area and affects the entire PDP structure in the state.
“What is even giving us concern is that we were informed that men of the RRS arrested our members, but when inquiries were made, their whereabouts could not be established.
“That calls for serious concern, and we are appealing to the appropriate authorities to intervene and secure their unconditional release”, he added.