The Court of Appeal, sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has cleared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Wole Oluyede to contest the Ekiti State governorship election.
An Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, had on January 13, 2026 nullified, PDP governorship primary election conducted on November 8 and 9, 2025 where Oluyede was elected as the party’s candidate.
But the three-man appellate court led by Hon. Justice Peter Chudi Obiorah, in a unanimous decision, set aside the judgment of the lower court.
The judgement came the same day the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Lucky Ayidatiwa, was disqualified by Federal High Court, from contesting the gubernatorial election.
The justices held that the primary election conducted by the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was valid, transparent, and complied with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
The court held that the governor, having been sworn in twice, is not eligible to contest the election because the Nigeria Constitution does not envisage that a president or governor should amount spending more than eight years in office.
Ekiti PDP has expressed confidence of winning the June 20 governorship election.
PDP South West Publicity Secretary Chief Sanya Atofarati, said momentum is now right with the party in Ekiti State.
Atofarati who is also Director of Media/ Publicity for the PDP 2026 Governorship Campaign Council, said the party enjoys large followership in Ekiti State.
“The people prefer the Peoples Democratic Party and they have demonstrated that in their prayers, in their support.
“PDP members and indeed the people of Ekiti State should take this opportunity now.
“They should not allow themselves to be disenfranchised in the election that is coming ahead.
“They should take the opportunity of the ongoing INEC registration to register for those who were not up to 18,” he appealed.
