At Last! Wole Oluyede Defeats Funso Ayeni As Appeal Court Upholds Ekiti PDP Primary 

By Joseph Sunday 

At last, the Appeal Court Sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital has on Thursday upheld the Governorship primary election which produced Dr Oluwole Oluyede as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Ekiti State on 8th and 9th November, 2025 ahead of the June 20, 2026 Governorship Election in the Ekiti State. 

Giving its judgement, the Appeal Court affirmed Dr Wole Oluyede as the rightful winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election held in November 2025.

The appeal court by the judgement has therefore nullified the judgement of the Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti which had earlier nullified the results of the primary, and declare a fresh primary election.

In a unanimous decision, the three-man appellate panel led by Honourable Justice Peter Chudi Obiorah, alongside Honourable Justice Jane Esienanwan Inyang and Honourable Justice Peter O. Affen, set aside the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti. 

The Justices held that the primary election supervised by former Governor Dankwambo of Gombe State under the administration of Ambassador Damagun-led administration was valid, transparent, and complied with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

It also held that the election had been held before the Turaki-led administration.

On the 13th of January, 2026, the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti nullified the Ekiti State Governorship primary election conducted on the 8th and 9th November, 2025. 

Dissatisfied with the judgment, the Party appealed to the Court of Appeal and today, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court. 

The Court further held that the primary election was duly conducted. 

This judgment effectively puts to rest the leadership and candidacy disputes that have shadowed the party’s preparations for the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election. 

By upholding the Turaki-led process, the Court has provided the necessary legal finality to ensure the PDP enters the general election as a unified front.