Ekiti Guber: Court Sacks PDP Candidate, Orders Fresh Primaries

A Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has nullified the emergence of Dr Wole Oluyede as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and ordered the party to conduct fresh primaries.

Justice Babs Kuewumi, in his ruling on Tuesday, upheld the petition filed by Prince Funso Ayeni, who challenged the conduct of the PDP primary, alleging widespread irregularities.

Ayeni had faulted the exercise, accusing party officials of manipulating the approved delegate list on the day of the primary, a development he said compromised transparency, internal democracy and fairness.

The court held that there was gross abuse of process and a clear disregard for electoral guidelines. It held that the conduct of the primary violated both the PDP’s internal rules and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which binds all institutions and individuals.

Reacting to the judgment, the PDP South-West Zonal Publicity Secretary, Sanya Atofarati, said the party would explore all legal options, including an appeal, expressing confidence in the party’s legal team to act swiftly.

Atofarati added that the ruling would not derail the party’s preparations for the June 20 governorship election, noting that a campaign committee has already been inaugurated and grassroots mobilisation is ongoing across the state.

He described the court action as part of a conspiracy against the party and its candidate, insisting that the primary election was free and fair, as attested to by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who monitored the exercise.

According to him, “This may look like a setback, but Ekiti people are already determined to change the government in the state because of the underperformance of the current administration.

He said, “They believe the Peoples Democratic Party remains the only tested and trusted alternative, and that is why, after a thorough primary process, delegates elected Dr Wole Oluyede as our candidate.

“Some aggrieved aspirants went to court to challenge the outcome. One withdrew her petition, leaving just one case before the court. Now, the court has given its ruling, but this is only the first stage of the judicial process. The party has the right to appeal, and I am confident our legal team will respond appropriately,” he added.

Atofarati urged party members and supporters to remain focused, saying the PDP would not be distracted by the judgment.

“Our campaign committee has already swung into action. Mobilisation has commenced from unit to unit, ward to ward, and across all the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State. We remain resolute and committed to victory in the 2026 election,” he stressed.