Nigeria’s Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has affirmed Dr. Wole Oluyede, as the duly nominated governorship candidate of the PDP for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
The three-member appellate panel, in a unanimous judgment, set aside the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, which had nullified the party’s primary election.
Led by Justice Peter Chudi Obiorah and comprising Justices Jane Esienanwan Inyang and Peter O. Affen, the panel held that the PDP primary election that produced Oluyede was valid and conducted in compliance with the party’s constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The court specifically affirmed that the primary election organised by the National Working Committee (NWC), led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki was lawful, transparent and properly conducted.
The court dismissed Ayeni’s claim on the grounds that the primary election that produced Oluyede as a candidate complied with all the Electoral Acts and was in compliance with the party’s constitution.
It held that in line with INEC guidelines and timetables, what the petitioner asked for had been overtaken by events because there is no longer a window for the conduct of the primary election.
The court also ruled that Ayeni, the litigant, did not exhaust the internal conflict-resolution mechanism of his own party before rushing to court.
Reacting to the judgment, the Turaki faction of PDP welcomed the judgment and commended the courage of the judiciary despite alleged pressures to do otherwise.
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 faction filed an appeal, asking the appellate court to overturn the decision of the lower court.
In its ruling, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, declaring that the primary election that produced Oluyede was duly conducted.
The ruling effectively settled the leadership and candidacy dispute that had trailed the party’s preparations for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
With the judgment, and barring an appeal to the Supreme Court, the PDP was expected to proceed into the election with Oluyede as its candidate.