A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti has nullified the nomination of Dr. Wole Oluyede as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the upcoming 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, ordering a fresh primary to be conducted.
In his judgment, Justice Babs Kuewumi supported the grievances raised by Prince Funso Ayeni, who contested the primary results.
Ayeni alleged that the delegate list was manipulated on the day of the election, which he argued damaged the fairness and transparency of the process.
The court’s findings highlighted significant failures in the party’s internal democracy, noting:“The gross abuse of process, disregard for electoral guidelines, and violation of the fundamental principles governing the Peoples Democratic Party were inconsistent with both party rules and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which binds all individuals and institutions without exception.”
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Responding to the ruling, the PDP’s South-West Zonal Publicity Secretary, Sanya Atofarati, described the situation as a temporary setback and expressed confidence in the party’s legal team to challenge the decision.
He remarked:“It will appear like a setback going to the fact that by now, people are resolved to change the government in the state because of the underperformance of the current administration… Looking at other alternatives, Ekiti people have been able to say that the People’s Democratic Party is the only political party that has been tested and is trusted.”
Atofarati also characterized the legal challenge as a “conspiracy against the party,” pointing out that INEC officials had originally reported the primary as free and fair.
Despite the court’s decision, he insisted that the party’s election machinery remains active:“We are not going to be distracted. The campaign committee was inaugurated yesterday, and they are already in motion… our members have commenced the mobilisation drive from unit to unit, ward to ward, and across the 16 local governments of Ekiti state.”
The party now faces a choice between conducting a rerun or pursuing an appeal as they prepare for the June 20, 2026 governorship poll.
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