A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Ekiti State, removing Dr Wole Oluyede as the party’s candidate and ordering a fresh primary election.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Babs Kuewumi, the court upheld the petition filed by Prince Funso Ayeni, who challenged the conduct of the primary on grounds of irregularities and procedural violations.
Ayeni had alleged that the delegate list approved for the election was manipulated on the day of the primary, an action he argued compromised transparency, internal democracy, and fairness within the party.
The court agreed, ruling that the process amounted to a gross abuse of procedure and a violation of PDP guidelines as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Justice Kuewumi held that political parties are bound to strictly adhere to their own rules and constitutional provisions.
Reacting to the judgment, the PDP South-West Zonal Publicity Secretary, Sanya Atofarati, said the party would immediately explore its right of appeal, expressing confidence in the party’s legal team.
Atofarati dismissed the ruling as a temporary setback, insisting it would not disrupt PDP’s preparations for the June 20 governorship election.
He disclosed that the party’s campaign committee has already been inaugurated and grassroots mobilisation has commenced across the state.
READ ALSO: 𝗘𝗸𝗶𝘁𝗶 2026: 𝗣𝗗𝗣 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗺, 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗢𝗹𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗱𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗚𝘂𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲
He described the legal challenge as part of a broader conspiracy against the PDP and its candidate, maintaining that the primary was free, fair, and properly monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, Ekiti residents are eager for a change of government due to what he described as the underperformance of the current administration, adding that the PDP remains the most trusted alternative in the state.
Despite the court ruling, Atofarati said the party remains focused and undeterred, noting that mobilisation efforts are ongoing across wards, units, and all 16 local government areas of Ekiti State.
He assured party supporters that the PDP would pursue all legal options while sustaining its campaign momentum ahead of the 2026 governorship election.