By Abiola Olawale
The Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has officially affirmed Dr. Wole Oluyede as the authentic candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship race.
The appellate court’s decision dismisses various challenges to the party’s primary results, providing a much-needed legal shield for Oluyede as he prepares to challenge the incumbent APC administration.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, a three-member panel of the appellate court set aside the earlier decision of a federal high court in Ado-Ekiti, which nullified the party’s primary election.
The panel, led by Peter Chudi Obiorah, held that the PDP primary election that produced Oluyede complied with the provisions of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
Other members of the panel were Jane Esienanwan Inyang and Peter O. Affen.
The appellate court also held that the primary election conducted by the national working committee (NWC) of the PDP, led by Kabiru Turaki, was lawful and properly conducted.
Oluyede, a medical expert, was elected the PDP gubernatorial candidate in November.
He secured 279 votes to defeat Funso Ayeni, his closest challenger, who received 239 votes. The election was conducted by the PDP national working committee (NWC) backed by Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo.
On January 13, the federal high court in Ado-Ekiti nullified the PDP governorship primary held on November 8 and 9, 2025, prompting the party to file an appeal.
In its decision on Thursday, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and overturned the judgment of the lower court, declaring that the primary election that produced Oluyede was valid.
