Appeal Court Affirms Oluyede as PDP Candidate for Ekiti Guber Poll

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, affirmed Dr. Wole Oluyede, as the duly nominated governorship candidate of the PDP for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.

In a unanimous judgment, the three-member appellate panel set aside the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, which had nullified the party’s primary election.

The panel, led by Justice Peter Chudi Obiorah and comprising Justices Jane Esienanwan Inyang and Peter O. Affen, held that the PDP primary election that produced Oluyede was valid and conducted in compliance with the party’s constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The court specifically affirmed that the primary election organised by the National Working Committee (NWC), led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki was lawful, transparent and properly conducted.

The court dismissed Ayeni’s claim on the grounds that the primary election that produced Oluyede as a candidate complied with all the Electoral Acts and was in compliance with the party’s constitution.

It held that in line with INEC guidelines and timetables, what the petitioner asked for had been overtaken by events because there is no longer a window for the conduct of the primary election.

The court also ruled that Ayeni, the litigant, did not exhaust the internal conflict-resolution mechanism of his own party before rushing to court.

REACTING, the PDP welcomed the judgment and commended the courage of the judiciary despite alleged pressures to do otherwise.

The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti had on January 13, 2026, nullified the Ekiti PDP governorship primary held on November 8 and 9, 2025.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, the PDP filed an appeal, asking the appellate court to overturn the decision of the lower court.

In its ruling, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, declaring that the primary election that produced Oluyede was duly conducted.

The ruling effectively settled the leadership and candidacy dispute that had trailed the party’s preparations for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.

With the judgment, the PDP was expected to proceed into the election with Oluyede as its candidate.

Confirming the judgement, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ini Ememobong said in a statement that, “By this judgment, the candidature of Dr. Olumayokun Oluwole Oluyede, who was given a certificate of return by the Turaki-led PDP, has been validated.

‘’We encourage all our supporters in Ekiti to double their campaign efforts to ensure that the PDP wins the governorship election and gives to the people of the state the qualitative leadership that our candidate and party offer.’’

Also reacting, the Southwest PDP Publicity Secretary and Director of Media and Publicity for the PDP 2026 Governorship Campaign Council, Sanya Atofarati, described the verdict as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.

Atofarati explained that after the party’s primary election, two aspirants — Fumilayo Ogun and Ayeni — initially challenged the process in court.

According to him, Ogun later withdrew her suit out of respect for the party after realising that the primary election complied with all legal and electoral requirements.

“With today’s judgment, the Court of Appeal has clearly affirmed that Dr. Oluyede remains the validly nominated candidate of the PDP for the June 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State,” he said.

He commended the judiciary for standing firm despite what he described as political pressure from detractors.

“The judiciary has demonstrated courage and integrity. Democracy can only thrive when institutions remain independent and when political actors respect internal conflict resolution mechanisms,” he added.

Atofarati said the ruling has finally resolved the legal dispute surrounding the party’s governorship ticket and positioned the PDP for the upcoming election.

He urged members of the party and residents of Ekiti State to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise by INEC and mobilise across the state’s 177 wards ahead of the election.

“This victory is not just for Dr. Oluyede or the PDP; it is for the entire people of Ekiti State. The momentum is now with the PDP as we prepare for the 2026 governorship election,” he said.