Jun 7, 2026

Bejide, NUJ Dismiss Viral PDP Endorsement Claims

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics

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Ado Ekiti, NIgeria - Bejide’s Campaign Insists Candidate Remains in Race; Journalists’ Union Says Viral Image Was Doctored

The political atmosphere in Ekiti State has become increasingly charged following conflicting claims surrounding an alleged endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, by the gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ambassador Dare Bejide.

The controversy erupted after a report circulated on social media and several online platforms claiming that Ambassador Bejide had led the leadership structure of the ADC on a solidarity visit to Dr. Oluyede, where he reportedly declared support for the PDP candidate ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election.

According to the report, Bejide was said to have urged ADC members across the state’s sixteen local government areas to work for the victory of the PDP candidate, describing the endorsement as a strategic decision taken in the interest of Ekiti State.

The publication quickly generated reactions across the political landscape, with many interpreting it as a major realignment capable of reshaping the dynamics of the closely watched governorship contest.

However, the claim has since been strongly refuted by both the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, and the ADC campaign organization.

In a disclaimer signed by the Chairman of the NUJ in Ekiti State, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, the union dismissed a viral photograph used to support the endorsement narrative, describing it as manipulated and misleading.

According to the NUJ, the individuals captured in the image were leaders and members of the union during its May Congress held at the NUJ Secretariat in Ado-Ekiti when Ambassador Dare Bejide visited the council to present his manifesto and engage journalists on issues concerning the forthcoming election.

The union maintained that no endorsement event involving either ADC stakeholders or NUJ leaders took place and clarified that Dr. Wole Oluyede had not visited the council’s secretariat for any such political gathering.

“The picture is AI-generated and the claim accompanying it is false and misleading,” the NUJ stated, urging members of the public to verify political information through credible and official channels before sharing it.

Adding to the rebuttal, the ADC Campaign Organization issued a separate statement categorically rejecting reports suggesting that Ambassador Bejide had withdrawn from the governorship race or endorsed another candidate.

The campaign described the reports as false, misleading, and inconsistent with the position of both the party and its candidate.

According to the statement, Ambassador Bejide remains fully committed to the governorship contest and has neither stepped down nor authorized anyone to negotiate or announce support for any rival candidate.

The campaign further argued that Bejide’s support base remains strong across the state, citing the party’s structures in all sixteen local government areas, wards, and polling units. It maintained that the ADC continues to enjoy growing grassroots acceptance and remains focused on mobilizing supporters ahead of election day.

The statement urged voters to disregard claims of any alliance or endorsement arrangement, describing them as attempts to create confusion within the electorate.

Political observers say the development highlights the increasingly influential role of social media in shaping public perception during election campaigns, while also raising concerns about misinformation and the use of manipulated digital content in political communication.

With the June 20 governorship election drawing closer, the ADC, PDP, and other political parties are expected to intensify their campaigns as the battle for the votes of Ekiti residents enters its decisive stage.