The Appeal Court, convening in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, delivered a significant ruling on Thursday.
The court upheld the governorship primary election that saw Dr. Oluwole Oluyede emerge as the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in Ekiti State, an election held on November 8th and 9th, 2025, in anticipation of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State.
In its decision, the Appeal Court officially confirmed Dr. Wole Oluyede as the legitimate victor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election, which took place in November 2025.
Crucially, the appellate court’s judgment overturned a previous ruling by the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti. The lower court had initially nullified the primary results and called for a fresh primary election.
The three-member appellate panel, comprising Honourable Justice Peter Chudi Obiorah as the lead, along with Honourable Justice Jane Esienanwan Inyang and Honourable Justice Peter O. Affen, reached a unanimous decision to set aside the earlier judgment from the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti.
The Justices concluded that the primary election, which was overseen by former Governor Dankwambo of Gombe State under the Damagun-led administration, was valid, transparent, and fully compliant with both the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
They also noted that this election had been conducted prior to the commencement of the Turaki-led administration.
It is worth recalling that on January 13th, 2026, the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti had indeed nullified the Ekiti State Governorship primary election that occurred on November 8th and 9th, 2025.
However, the Party, dissatisfied with that judgment, lodged an appeal with the Court of Appeal, which subsequently reversed the Federal High Court’s decision.
The Court further affirmed that the primary election was duly conducted.
