Ekiti PDP governorship primary winner Dr Wole Oluyede plans to appeal court nullification and seeks reinstatement for June 2026 election
Dr Wole Oluyede, winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Ekiti State, has confirmed plans to appeal the Federal High Court’s nullification of the exercise, describing the ruling as unjust and procedurally flawed.
Also read: Ekiti Governor Oyebanji Inaugurates Modern Ministry Complex
Through his lawyer, Owoseni Ajayi, Oluyede said an appeal will be filed promptly, alongside a request for a stay of execution to prevent the immediate conduct of a fresh primary.
He emphasised his determination to exhaust all legal avenues to have his candidacy recognised and restored ahead of the June 20, 2026 election.
The appeal follows a ruling by Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Ado Ekiti Division of the Federal High Court, which invalidated the PDP primaries held on 8 November 2025.
The judgment came in favour of aspirant Funso Ayeni, who challenged the primary on the grounds that the party failed to present an authentic list of statutory and ad hoc delegates.
Justice Kuewumi ordered the PDP, in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct a fresh primary in strict compliance with the law and the party’s constitution, allowing all eligible aspirants to participate.
Oluyede, however, argued that the ruling does not reflect the fairness of the original exercise.
“My victory at the primaries was legitimate. The nullification undermines both internal democracy and the rights of party members,” he said.
The candidate had previously been excluded from INEC’s official list of governorship candidates published on 29 December 2025, a development he has vowed to contest vigorously.
Also read: Accord Party Presents Certificate of Return to Ekiti Governorship Candidate
“We will ensure that justice prevails and that Dr Oluyede’s rightful position as PDP’s governorship candidate is restored ahead of the 2026 election,” Ajayi added.
