A Federal High Court in south-western Nigeria has set aside the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship primary election in Ekiti State, declaring the process invalid and ordering a fresh contest.
Justice Babs Kuewumi gave the ruling on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti while delivering judgement in a case brought by PDP governorship aspirant Funsho Ayeni against the party and the Independent National Election Commission (INEC).
Ayeni had asked the court to invalidate the primary election, alleging that the PDP failed to produce the original list of delegates used for the exercise. According to him, the omission breached the party’s guidelines and Nigeria’s Electoral Act, undermining the credibility of the election.
In his decision, Justice Kuewumi agreed with the claimant, ruling that the primary election was conducted in violation of relevant legal and constitutional provisions. He concluded that the flaws in the process were fundamental and could not be overlooked.
The court ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary in conjunction with INEC, directing that the new exercise must strictly comply with all applicable laws and regulations. The judge also ruled that all eligible aspirants should be given equal opportunity to contest in the rerun.
Dr Wole Oluyede had been declared winner of the disputed primary held on 8 November 2025, securing 279 votes ahead of Ayeni and Funmi Ogun. The election was overseen by a party committee chaired by former governor Ibrahim Dankwambo.
The case, registered as FHC/AD/CS/29/2025, had attracted significant legal attention, with senior advocates representing the parties. The court had earlier promised an expedited hearing before delivering Tuesday’s judgement.
