The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti has annulled the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary held on November 8, 2025, prompting the declared winner, Dr. Wole Oluyede, to announce plans to appeal the ruling.
Justice Babs Kuewumi delivered the judgment on Tuesday in response to a suit filed by aspirant Funso Ayeni, who argued that the exercise violated party guidelines and the Electoral Act. Ayeni’s counsel, Kola Kolade (SAN), contended that the PDP failed to present the authentic list of statutory and ad hoc delegates, a flaw he described as a fundamental breach.
In his ruling, Justice Kuewumi stated: “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.” He directed the PDP, in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct a fresh primary that allows all eligible aspirants to participate, ensuring transparency and fairness.
Reacting through his lawyer, Owoseni Ajayi, Oluyede expressed dissatisfaction and confirmed that an appeal would be filed, including a request for a stay of execution. He had earlier been excluded from INEC’s official list of candidates for the June 20, 2026 election, released on December 29, 2025.
Oluyede vowed to challenge his exclusion and pursue all legal avenues to have his candidacy restored.
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