Ekiti guber: Appeal court affirms Oluyede as PDP candidate

The Court of Appeal, Akure Division, has affirmed the validity of the primary election that produced Dr Wole Oluyede as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The Nigerian Tribune had earlier reported that the PDP candidate was excluded from the final list of candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the lingering leadership crisis rocking the national headquarters of the party.

Also, on January 13, 2026, a Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti nullified the primary election of the party conducted in November 2025, which produced Oluyede, after one of the aspirants, Dr Funso Ayeni, raised complaints over alleged irregularities in the exercise.

However, in a unanimous decision on Thursday, a three-man panel of the appellate court comprising Justice Peter Obiorah, Justice Jane Inyang and Justice Peter Affen set aside the judgment of the Ado-Ekiti Federal High Court.

Delivering the judgment on the two appeals filed by the candidate and the PDP, the head of the panel, Justice Peter Obiorah, held that the November 8, 2025 primary election was valid, transparent and conducted in compliance with the party’s constitution as well as the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The court further held that the aspirant failed to substantiate allegations of non-accreditation of delegates and manipulation of the delegates’ list used for the primary election.

The appellate court also faulted Ayeni for failing to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanism of the party before approaching the court.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, counsel to the PDP candidate, Owoseni Ajayi, who commended the ruling of the court, said the judgment has cleared the way for Oluyede to participate in the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State.

ALSO READ: Police arrest suspect, recover pistol in Lagos

Ajayi, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, noted that the appellate court had dismissed the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court which ordered a fresh primary election, explaining that events had already overtaken such a directive in line with the guidelines and timetable of INEC.

Reacting to the development, the PDP South-West Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, commended the judiciary for defending Oluyede’s mandate despite what he described as the actions of political detractors within and outside the party.

Atofarati, who also serves as the Director of Media and Publicity for the PDP 2026 Governorship Campaign Council, added that the PDP and its candidate appreciated the support and prayers of residents during the months of legal battle.

According to him, “The only reason why our detractors, particularly the party in power, which is the All Progressives Congress (APC), have set their sights on the PDP is because they understand that the PDP enjoys wide public appeal and possesses the grassroots structure capable of unseating this incompetent government that has underperformed for about four years now.

“We are happy that the truth is prevailing. We have seen the level of support we received while the litigation lasted. The people prefer the PDP and they have demonstrated this through their prayers and support.

“PDP members and indeed the people of Ekiti State should seize this opportunity now. They should not allow themselves to be disenfranchised in the election ahead. Those who have not registered and are now up to 18 years should take advantage of the ongoing INEC registration exercise.”

Atofarati further stated that, “The judiciary, especially the justices of the Court of Appeal, have demonstrated that democracy can only thrive when there is mutual respect and when internal political structures and conflict resolution mechanisms are adequately respected.

“In every democratic setting, there are bound to be issues and competing interests. However, in all circumstances, we must prioritise the overall interest of the political party we represent and the wider populace who will ultimately be the beneficiaries of our actions or inaction.”