RismadarVoice Reporters, March 6, 2026
Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Dr. Oluwole Oluyede as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the forthcoming 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
Delivering judgment in the suit FHC/ABJ/CS/40/2026, presided over by Justice Umar, the court granted all the reliefs sought by Dr. Oluyede and the PDP, challenging the electoral commission’s decision to exclude him from the list of candidates for the election.
In its ruling, the court faulted INEC for excluding the PDP candidate and directed the commission to immediately recognise Dr. Oluyede as the party’s governorship candidate and include his name and the party’s logo on the ballot for the Ekiti governorship poll.
The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining INEC from further rejecting or excluding Oluyede from any activity connected with the forthcoming election in the state.
Dr. Oluyede had earlier been presented with a certificate of return by the National Chairman of the PDP, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, confirming him as the party’s candidate for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti.
However, the party alleged that INEC, under the leadership of Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, declined to include his name on the official list of candidates, prompting the candidate and the party to approach the court to challenge the commission’s action.
Reacting to the ruling in a statement on Thursday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Comrade Ini Ememobong, welcomed the judgment, describing it as a confirmation that justice had been served.
The party also urged INEC to operate strictly within the confines of the law and avoid actions that could be perceived as partisan.
The PDP further reminded the electoral body of past judicial pronouncements affirming that INEC lacks the authority to exclude duly nominated candidates, warning against actions that could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.
Following the judgment, the party said the decision has cleared the path for its governorship campaign in Ekiti State, urging members and supporters to intensify mobilization ahead of the election.
The PDP also expressed confidence that the candidacy of Dr. Oluwole Oluyede would deliver victory for the party in the upcoming governorship poll.
