The Court of Appeal of Nigeria sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has overturned an earlier ruling that nullified the governorship primary election conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State.
The decision marks a significant turning point in the prolonged Ekiti PDP primary dispute that has lingered for months within the party.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, a three-member panel of the appellate court ruled unanimously that Wole Oluyede is the validly nominated governorship candidate of the PDP for the 2026 election in Ekiti State.
The court therefore set aside the previous decision of the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, which had earlier invalidated the party’s primary election.
The appellate panel was led by Justice Peter Chudi Obiorah, with Justices Jane Esienanwan Inyang and Peter O. Affen serving as members.
In their ruling, the justices carefully examined the issues surrounding the Ekiti PDP primary dispute and concluded that the lower court had erred in its interpretation of the facts and relevant electoral laws.
According to the judgement, the PDP primary election conducted on November 8 and 9, 2025, was carried out in accordance with the party’s constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
The court also confirmed that the exercise was properly supervised by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), which at the time was led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.
The appellate court stated that there was no convincing evidence to justify the nullification of the election.
As a result, the judges held that the process which produced Oluyede as the party’s candidate remained valid and legally binding.
With this ruling, the court effectively resolved the Ekiti PDP primary dispute that had threatened to disrupt the party’s preparations for the next governorship election.
The controversy began earlier this year when the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti delivered a judgement on January 13, 2026, cancelling the PDP governorship primary.
The lower court had ruled that the process leading to the emergence of Oluyede did not comply with certain legal and procedural requirements.
That judgement triggered widespread reactions within the party, as members feared it could weaken the PDP’s position ahead of the 2026 governorship contest.
The ruling also created uncertainty about who would eventually represent the party in the election.
Determined to challenge the decision, the PDP filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal.
The party argued that the Federal High Court had wrongly nullified a primary election that was conducted under the authority of its national leadership and in line with established rules.
During the appeal proceedings, lawyers representing the PDP insisted that the party followed due process in organising the primary election.
They maintained that the exercise was transparent, credible, and consistent with both the party’s internal regulations and the Electoral Act.
After reviewing the arguments presented by both sides, the appellate court agreed with the PDP’s position and allowed the appeal.
The judges concluded that the primary election was lawfully conducted and that the lower court’s decision could not stand.
With the judgement delivered on Thursday, the Ekiti PDP primary dispute appears to have reached its final stage, as the court’s decision restored the legitimacy of the primary election that produced Oluyede.
Political observers believe the ruling will help stabilise the PDP’s internal structure in Ekiti State.
For months, the legal battle had created divisions among party members and raised concerns about possible setbacks in the party’s preparations for the governorship election.
Now that the Court of Appeal has settled the matter, attention is expected to shift toward political campaigns and party mobilisation ahead of the 2026 election.
Analysts say the judgement provides the PDP with clarity regarding its candidate and allows the party to focus on strengthening its electoral strategy.
For Oluyede, the ruling represents a major political victory. Having faced months of legal uncertainty, the confirmation of his candidacy gives him the opportunity to begin consolidating support across the state.
The court’s decision also highlights the crucial role of the judiciary in resolving electoral disputes in Nigeria.
By addressing the Ekiti PDP primary dispute, the appellate court has reinforced the legal framework that governs political party primaries and electoral processes.
As political activities gradually intensify ahead of the Ekiti governorship election, the PDP is expected to rally behind Oluyede and begin preparations aimed at reclaiming political influence in the state.
About The Author
