ADO-EKITI – A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti has nullified the November 8, 2024, governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State and ordered a fresh exercise to be conducted in strict compliance with the law.
The primary, which produced Dr. Wole Oluyede as the party’s candidate, was challenged by his runner-up, Dr. Funso Ayeni, who argued that the PDP failed to provide the authentic list of statutory and ad hoc delegates used for the election—a breach of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday in suit FHC/AD/CS/29/2025, Justice Babs Kuewumi held that the conduct of the primary did not comply with legal provisions and party guidelines.
The court consequently voided the primary and directed the PDP, in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct a fresh primary election that ensures transparency, fairness, and internal democracy, with all qualified aspirants allowed to participate.
Counsel to Dr. Oluyede, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and indicated that steps had been taken to appeal the judgment, including filing for a stay of execution.
The ruling throws the PDP’s preparations for the June 20, 2026, governorship election into uncertainty and creates an opening for other aspirants to recontest the party’s ticket.
Disclaimer: This report is based on a court judgment. The PDP may appeal the ruling, and the final candidate list will depend on the outcome of further legal and party processes.
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