#EkitiDecides2026: PDP Faction Under FCT Minister Wike Secretly Replaces Party Agents With APC Loyalists

Another party chieftain alleged that the development weakened the PDP’s ability to effectively monitor the electoral process.

Fresh allegations have emerged from the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election, with stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accusing the faction loyal to former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, of replacing duly nominated party agents with individuals allegedly sympathetic to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Several PDP stakeholders in Ekiti Central Senatorial District Area told SaharaReporters that names of party agents originally submitted by grassroots leaders to safeguard the party’s interests during the election were allegedly altered before reaching the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

According to the party members, the replacements were allegedly carried out by individuals aligned with the Wike-led faction of the PDP, with the substituted agents reportedly working in collaboration with APC operatives across polling units.

“The names we submitted were changed. People who were not part of our structure suddenly appeared as PDP agents at polling units. Many of them are known APC loyalists and have been working closely with APC agents throughout the election,” one PDP stakeholder told SaharaReporters. 

Another party chieftain alleged that the development weakened the PDP’s ability to effectively monitor the electoral process.

“Our members were shocked to discover that their names had been removed. Those eventually accredited as PDP agents were not protecting the party’s interests. Instead, they appeared to be working hand in hand with APC officials on the ground,” the source said.

The allegations appear to align with observations made by election monitors.

Speaking exclusively to SaharaReporters on Saturday evening, the Convener of the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Celestine Okwudili Odo, noted what he described as an apparent working relationship between PDP and APC representatives at several polling units visited by observers.

“So in most places we visited during elections, we only have PDP, APC and ADC people (party agents). So these are just three dominant parties we see,” Odo said.

“But largely, there’s a kind of collaboration between the PDP and the APC. So there seems to be a kind of collaboration between them. So maybe mutual understanding between them.”

While Odo stopped short of directly accusing either party of wrongdoing, his remarks are likely to fuel concerns among opposition supporters who have alleged that sections of the PDP leadership in the state have become compromised.

The allegations come amid longstanding tensions within the PDP following divisions between supporters of the party’s national leadership and the camp loyal to Wike, a key ally of President Bola Tinubu despite remaining a PDP member.

The development is expected to heighten scrutiny of the conduct of party agents and the integrity of the electoral process as collation of results continues across the state.