RismadarVoice Reporters, March 12, 2026
The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure has affirmed Dr. Wole Oluyede as the duly nominated governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Ekiti State election.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Peter Chudi Obiorah, alongside Justice Jane Esienanwan Inyang and Justice Peter O. Affen, set aside the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti which had nullified the party’s primary election.
The appellate court held that the PDP governorship primary conducted on November 8 and 9, 2025 by the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) was valid, complied with the party’s constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti had on January 13, 2026 nullified the primary election, prompting the PDP to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
However, the appellate court allowed the appeal and overturned the lower court’s judgment, ruling that the primary election was duly conducted.
The ruling effectively confirms Oluyede as the PDP’s flag bearer for the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election.
Party officials say the judgment also resolves the legal disputes surrounding the party’s candidate selection process, clearing the way for the PDP to focus on preparations for the election.
