COURT SACKS OLUYEDE AS EKITI PDP GUBER CANDIDATE, DIRECTS NEW PRIMARIES
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has removed Dr. Wole Oluyede as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Ekiti State and ordered fresh primaries.
In his ruling, Justice Babs Kuewumi upheld the claims of irregularities raised by Prince Funso Ayeni during the PDP primaries.
Ayeni had challenged the exercise, citing alleged manipulation of the approved delegate list on election day, which he argued undermined transparency, internal democracy, and fairness.
The court ruled that the gross abuse of process, disregard for electoral guidelines, and violations of the fundamental principles of 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.
Reacting, PDP’s South-West Zonal Publicity Secretary, Sanya Atofarati, stated that the party has the right to appeal the judgment and expressed confidence that PDP’s legal team would act promptly.
Atofarati emphasized that the court ruling does not halt the party’s preparations for the upcoming election, noting that a campaign committee has already been established with extensive grassroots mobilisation across Ekiti ahead of the June 20 governorship poll.
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He described the complaint as a conspiracy against the party and its flag bearer, stressing that the primary election was conducted freely and fairly, as confirmed by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials who monitored the exercise.
He said, “While it may seem like a setback, the reality is that people are determined to change the government in the state due to the current administration’s underperformance.
“Considering other options, the people of Ekiti have consistently seen the Peoples Democratic Party as the only tested and trusted political party.
“They are looking closely at the PDP and the quality of candidates it will present in the election. Following a thorough primary process, the delegates elected Dr. Wole Oluyede as the party’s candidate.
“Despite this, some aggrieved members and aspirants approached the court seeking to nullify the primary process.”
He said, “One of the aspirants voluntarily withdrew her petition, leaving only one remaining. That aspirant then approached the court seeking a judgment to nullify the primary process.
“While the court has ruled in their favour, declaring the process nullified, this represents the first stage of the judicial process. The party retains the right to appeal, and I am confident that our legal team is reviewing the judgment and will respond appropriately.
“Ekiti people must also understand the level of conspiracy against the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidates in the 2026 election. We remain resolute and undistracted.
“The campaign committee was inaugurated yesterday and is already in motion. Our members have begun mobilising from unit to unit, ward to ward, and across all 16 local government areas of Ekiti State, so the public should expect that our efforts will continue unabated.”
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