Ekiti 2026: Court nullifies PDP governorship primaries, orders fresh election

A Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, on Tuesday nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election which produced Dr Wole Oluyede as the party’s candidate for the 2026 governorship election.

The court also ordered the PDP to conduct a new governorship primary election in Ekiti State.

The court gave the order while delivering judgement in a suit filed by a governorship aspirant, Funsho Ayeni, against PDP and the Independent National Election Commission (INEC).

Ayeni had approached the court to challenge the validity of the governorship primary election, alleging that the party failed to present the original and authentic list of statutory and ad hoc delegates used for the exercise.

He also argued that the absence of the original delegates’ list constituted a fundamental breach of the PDP guidelines and the Electoral Act, thereby rendering the primary election invalid.

Delivering judgement, Justice Babs Kuewumi held that the conduct of the primary election did not comply with the provisions of the law and the party’s constitution.

Justice Kuewumi nullified the primary election and ordered PDP, in conjunction with INEC, to conduct a fresh primary election in strict compliance with the law and relevant guidelines.

The judge ordered that all eligible aspirants be allowed to participate in the fresh primary election to ensure transparency, fairness and internal democracy within the party.

The Star