2026 Elections: Ekiti PDP Candidate Disqualified — Court Nullifies Primary, Orders Fresh Election

The political landscape in Ekiti State has been thrown into uncertainty after a Federal High Court sitting in Ado‑Ekiti nullified the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship primary election, effectively disqualifying Dr. Wole Oluyede as the party’s candidate ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship poll. The court also directed the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise a fresh primary election in strict compliance with the law and party guidelines.

Dr. Oluyede had emerged winner of the PDP governorship primary held on November 8, 2025, defeating rivals including Dr. Funso Ayeni and Mrs. Funmilayo Ogun. He secured the party’s ticket with a reported 279 votes and was initially expected to contest the June governorship election. However, his name was conspicuously missing from the list of candidates published by INEC on December 29, 2025 — a development that fuelled controversy and sparked legal and political reactions across the state.

The legal battle that culminated in the nullification of the primary began when Mr. Funso Ayeni, an aspirant in the contest, filed a suit (FHC/AD/CS/29/2025) challenging the conduct of the party’s exercise. Ayeni argued that the PDP failed to present the original and authentic lists of statutory and ad hoc delegates used during the primary, which he said constituted a fundamental breach of both the party’s constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act. He maintained that the omission of these lists undermined the transparency, fairness, and credibility of the election process.

Delivering judgment on January 13, Justice Babs Kuewumi agreed with the plaintiff’s arguments, ruling that the primary did not comply with legal and internal party requirements. The judge held that the alleged failure to present proper delegate lists was a serious procedural lapse that invalidated the exercise. In his judgment, Justice Kuewumi ordered that a fresh primary be conducted under the supervision of both the PDP and INEC to guarantee full compliance with the law and ensure internal democracy.

The ruling also stipulated that all eligible aspirants must be permitted to participate in the re‑run, a decision aimed at fostering fairness and inclusivity. By nullifying the earlier exercise, the court essentially disqualified Oluyede from the candidacy until the fresh primary is conducted and a valid candidate emerges.

In reaction to the development, Dr. Oluyede has condemned the verdict as unjust and procedurally flawed, announcing plans to appeal the decision and seek a stay of execution to prevent an immediate rerun of the primary. Through his legal team, Oluyede expressed confidence in overturning the judgment and restoring his candidacy ahead of the June polls. The candidate’s exclusion from INEC’s official candidate list further complicates the legal trajectory, as he continues to pursue all available legal avenues to secure his place on the ballot.

Meanwhile, within political and civil society circles, the situation has sparked debate over internal party democracy, candidate vetting, and the broader implications for the PDP’s electoral prospects in Ekiti. A pressure group, Ekiti Liberation Agenda (ELA), has also alleged political interference in the omission of the PDP candidate’s name from INEC’s list, claiming that forces aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) influenced candidate listings and exclusions — assertions that have further heightened tensions ahead of the polls.

As events unfold, the PDP faces both legal and organisational challenges in reorganising its primary process to meet the court’s directives. With the 2026 governorship election date approaching, how the party navigates the fresh primary and manages internal disputes will be crucial to its chances in one of southwest Nigeria’s most closely watched political contests.