Ekiti Guber Poll: Appeal Court affirms Oluyede as PDP candidate

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure has affirmed Dr. WoleOluyede as the duly nominated governorship candidate of the Peoples DemocraticParty (PDP) for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election. In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, thethree-member appellate panel set aside the earlier ruling of the Federal HighCourt in Ado-Ekiti which had nullified the party’s primary election. The panel, led by Justice Peter Chudi Obiorah and comprisingJustices Jane Esienanwan Inyang and Peter O. Affen, held that the PDP primaryelection that produced Oluyede was valid and conducted in compliance with theparty’s constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act. The court specifically affirmed that the primary electionorganised by the National Working Committee, NWC, led by Kabiru Tanimu Turakiwas lawful, transparent and properly conducted. The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti had on January 13, 2026,nullified the Ekiti PDP governorship primary held on November 8 and 9, 2025. Dissatisfied with the judgment, the PDP filed an appeal,asking the appellate court to overturn the decision of the lower court. In its ruling on Thursday, the Court of Appeal allowed theappeal and set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, declaring that theprimary election that produced Oluyede was duly conducted. The ruling effectively settles the leadership and candidacydispute that had trailed the party’s preparations for the 2026 Ekiti Stategovernorship election. With the judgment, the PDP is expected to proceed into theelection with Oluyede as its candidate.

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