A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti has delivered a significant blow to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, nullifying its governorship primary election and ordering a fresh exercise. This ruling throws the party's preparations for the June 20, 2026 governorship election into disarray.
Court Ruling and Grounds for Nullification
Presiding Judge, Justice Babs Kuewumi, declared that the primary election conducted on November 8, 2025 did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the PDP's own constitution. The primary, which was overseen by a committee led by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, had produced Dr. Wole Oluyede as the winner with 279 votes, defeating challengers Funsho Ayeni and Mrs. Funmi Ogun.
The suit, marked FHC/AD/CS/29/2025, was filed by Funsho Ayeni. He challenged Oluyede's victory, arguing that the party failed to present the original and authentic list of statutory and ad hoc delegates used for the exercise. The court agreed that this omission constituted a fundamental breach, rendering the primary invalid.
Justice Kuewumi consequently ordered the PDP, in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct a fresh governorship primary. The judge directed that the new exercise must be in strict compliance with the law and that all eligible aspirants must be allowed to participate to ensure transparency and internal democracy.
Reactions and Allegations of Political Interference
Counsel to Dr. Oluyede, Owoseni Ajayi, expressed immediate dissatisfaction with the ruling. He disclosed that the legal team has commenced the process for an appeal, including filing for a stay of execution on the judgment.
Parallel to the court drama, a pressure group, the Ekiti Liberation Agenda (ELA), has raised serious allegations. The group, represented by former Ado Local Council Chairman Mrs. Omotunde Fajuyi, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of masterminding the exclusion of Oluyede's name from INEC's official list of candidates.
Fajuyi claimed that Oluyede emerged from a primary duly monitored by INEC officials and questioned why his name was later omitted without explanation. She alleged that those who inquired were told the INEC Chairman was "acting on orders," implying influence from the state government.
APC Denies Involvement
The Ekiti State APC swiftly dismissed these allegations. The party's spokesman, Segun Dipe, described ELA as a "meddlesome interloper" unknown in the state's political landscape. Dipe stated it was impossible for the APC to mastermind the exclusion of a candidate from another party.
He shifted the blame to the PDP's logistical failure, pointing to INEC's position that the party did not upload Oluyede's name within the stipulated timeframe. "How did that concern us?" Dipe asked rhetorically during a telephone interview.
The unfolding situation presents a major hurdle for the PDP's campaign in Ekiti State. With the court ordering a fresh primary and the party's candidate facing legal and administrative challenges, the road to the 2026 election has become significantly more complicated. All eyes will now be on the PDP's next move and the potential appeal against the court's verdict.
