The Ekiti State governorship primary election has taken a new turn as Dr. Wole Oluyede, the declared winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary, plans to appeal the Federal High Court’s decision to nullify the exercise. The court’s ruling, which described the primary as unjust and procedurally flawed, has been met with resistance from Oluyede, who maintains that his victory was legitimate.
Through his lawyer, Owoseni Ajayi, Oluyede stated that an appeal will be filed promptly, accompanied by a request for a stay of execution, to prevent the immediate conduct of a fresh primary. This move aims to exhaust all legal avenues and have Oluyede’s candidacy recognized, with his name restored to the list of eligible governorship candidates for the June 20, 2026, election.
The Federal High Court’s Ado Ekiti Division had earlier invalidated the PDP primary held on November 8, 2025, following a challenge by aspirant Funso Ayeni, who claimed that the party failed to present an authentic list of statutory and ad hoc delegates used in the exercise. Justice Babs Kuewumi’s judgment ordered the PDP, in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct a fresh primary in strict compliance with the law and the party’s constitution, allowing all eligible aspirants to participate.
Oluyede’s exclusion from INEC’s official list of governorship candidates, published on December 29, 2025, has further fueled his determination to contest the decision. His lawyer, Ajayi, emphasized that they will ensure justice prevails and Oluyede’s rightful position as PDP’s governorship candidate is restored ahead of the 2026 election.
The development has significant implications for the upcoming election, as it may impact the party’s chances and the overall democratic process. The appeal process is expected to unfold in the coming days, with Oluyede’s team working to demonstrate the legitimacy of the original primary exercise and undermine the grounds for the court’s nullification. As the situation continues to unfold, the Ekiti State governorship election remains a closely watched event, with the outcome of Oluyede’s appeal likely to have far-reaching consequences for the state’s political landscape.
