By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti has nullified the outcome of the last Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election in Ekiti State and ordered a fresh exercise.
Justice Babs Kuewumi gave the order on Tuesday, January 13, regarding the primary election held on November 8, 2025, where Dr Wole Oluyede emerged as the party’s candidate.
At the primary election conducted by the party’s electoral committee, headed by Ibrahim Dankwambo, a senator and former governor of Gombe State, Oluyede polled 279 votes to defeat Funsho Ayeni and Funmi Ogun.
However, in a suit marked FHC/AD/CS/29/2025, Mrs Ayeni challenged Oluyede’s victory, alleging that the party failed to present the original and authentic list of statutory and ad-hoc delegates used for the exercise.
She argued that the absence of the original delegates’ list constituted a fundamental breach of the PDP guidelines and the Electoral Act, thereby rendering the primary election null and void.
Delivering judgment, Kuewumi held that the conduct of the primary election did not comply with the provisions of the law and the party’s constitution.
The judge consequently nullified the primary election and ordered the PDP, in conjunction with INEC, to conduct a fresh governorship primary election in strict compliance with the law and relevant guidelines.
He further directed that all eligible aspirants be allowed to participate in the fresh primary election, to ensure transparency, fairness, and internal democracy within the party.
Mrs Ayeni was represented at the hearing by Kola Kolade (SAN) alongside other lawyers, while Oluyede was represented by Ola Olanipekun (SAN) and Owoseni Ajayi.
The PDP was represented by the Osun State Legal Adviser of the party and lawyer, Ola Alonge.
In his reaction to the ruling, Owoseni Ajayi expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s decision, disclosing that the process for appealing the judgement has commenced, including filing for a stay of execution.
