The Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, on Tuesday nullified the Peoples Democratic Party governorship primaries held on November 8, 2025, a ruling that has prompted the winner of the exercise, Dr. Wole Oluyede, to announce plans to appeal.
Justice Babs Kuewumi gave the ruling following a suit filed by an aspirant, Funso Ayeni, who challenged the primary on grounds that it violated the party’s guidelines and the Electoral Act.
The judge ordered the party to conduct a fresh election to select its candidate.
Ayeni, through his counsel, Kola Kolade (SAN), argued that the PDP failed to present the original and authentic list of statutory and ad hoc delegates used for the exercise, a lapse he described as a fundamental breach rendering the election invalid.
In his judgment, Justice Kuewumi held, “The conduct of the primary election did not comply with the provisions of the law and the party’s constitution. Consequently, the primary election is hereby nullified.”
The judge directed the PDP, in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission, to organise a fresh primary in strict compliance with legal and party guidelines.
Justice Kuewumi emphasised that all eligible aspirants must be allowed to participate in the rerun to ensure transparency, fairness, and internal democracy within the party.
Reacting to the judgment, the winner of the nullified primary Dr. Wole Oluyede,through his counsel, Owoseni Ajayi, expressed dissatisfaction and confirmed that an appeal would be filed, including a request for a stay of execution
Oluyede had earlier been excluded from INEC’s official list of governorship candidates for the June 20, 2026 election, published on December 29, 2025.
Oluyede has vowed to challenge the exclusion, asserting his intention to explore all legal avenues to have his name restored and participate in the election.