A Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship primary election for the 2026 Ekiti State election and directed the party to conduct a fresh exercise.
Justice Babs Kuewumi gave the ruling on Tuesday after setting aside the primary held on November 8, which produced Dr Wole Oluyede as the PDP’s candidate. The decision followed a suit filed by one of the aspirants, Funso Ayeni, who challenged the credibility of the exercise.
Ayeni, through his counsel, Kola Kolade (SAN), argued that the primary violated the PDP’s constitution and guidelines, as well as provisions of the Electoral Act. He contended that the party failed to present the original and authentic list of statutory and ad hoc delegates used for the election, a lapse he described as a fundamental breach capable of invalidating the process.
In the suit marked FHC/AD/CS/29/2025, the plaintiff maintained that the absence of a verified delegates’ list undermined the integrity of the primary and rendered its outcome unlawful.
Delivering judgment, Justice Kuewumi held that the conduct of the primary election did not comply with the law or the party’s constitution. He consequently nullified the exercise and ordered the PDP, in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission, to organise a fresh governorship primary in strict adherence to relevant laws and guidelines.
The judge further directed that all eligible aspirants be allowed to participate in the new primary to promote transparency, fairness and internal democracy within the party.
Reacting to the verdict, counsel to Oluyede, Owoseni Ajayi, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and disclosed plans to appeal the judgment. He also said an application for a stay of execution would be filed.
Oluyede’s name had earlier been omitted from the list of governorship candidates for the June 20 election released by INEC on December 29. He had vowed to challenge the omission and pursue all legal options to ensure his reinstatement on the ballot.
