A Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, has nullified the gubernatorial primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
The party had conducted its governorship primary election on November 8, 2025, during which Dr Wole Oluyede emerged winner after defeating Dr Funso Ayeni and Mrs Funmilayo Ogun.
However, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not recognise Oluyede and his running mate, Deji Ogunsakin, on the provisional list of candidates published on December 29, 2025 ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship poll.
Aggrieved by the outcome of the primary, Ayeni approached the court through his counsel, Mr Kola Kolade (SAN), seeking nullification of the exercise on the grounds that it failed to comply with the party’s constitution and guidelines.
The plaintiff contended that the PDP did not present the original and authentic list of statutory and ad hoc delegates used for the primary election, describing the omission as a fundamental breach of the party’s guidelines and the Electoral Act.
In his judgement delivered on Tuesday in the suit marked FHC/AD/CS/29/2025, Justice Babs Kuewumi held that the conduct of the primary election did not comply with the provisions of the law and the PDP constitution.
The court consequently nullified the governorship primary and ordered the PDP, in conjunction with INEC, to conduct a fresh primary election in strict compliance with the law and relevant guidelines.
Justice Kuewumi further directed that all qualified aspirants be allowed to participate in the fresh exercise to promote transparency, fairness and internal democracy within the party.
However, the PDP Governorship Campaign Council in the state has urged members not to be discouraged or misled by the judgment.
In a statement, the Council’s Director of Media and Communication, Sanya Atofarati, described the judgment as part of a calculated attempt by desperate political interests to distract the PDP.
The statement reads: “We urge our supporters to remain calm, focused and resolute, as this development in no way diminishes the strength, legitimacy, or popularity of our candidate”.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel for Oluyede, Mr Owoseni Ajayi, expressed dissatisfaction with the judgement, saying steps had already been taken to appeal the decision, including filing an application for a stay of execution.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
