Ekiti PDP Primary: Court Declines  Restraining Oluyede As Gubernatorial Candidate 

The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti has refused granting an order retraining the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2026 election from parading himself as the duly elected candidate of the party.

This rulling was delivered by Justice Babs O Ikuewunmi of the Court 1, Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti.

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In a suit number FHC/ AD/CS/29/2025 between Dr Funso Ayeni VS Peoples Democratic Party and 6 others.

Funso Ayeni represented by Barrister Stanley Okonkwo before Honourable Justice Babs O Ikuewunmi while  Barrister Owoseni Ajayi represented the candidate of the party, Dr Wole Oluyede.

In an application brought before the court, Okonkwo, seeking to 

grant the leave to serve the PDP and INEC and all other defendants outside jurisdiction in Ado Ekiti. 

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Ikuewunmi in his rulling granted the leave to serve the PDP and 2nd to 6th defendants by substituted services at the PDP Secretariat, Ajilosun, Ado Ekiti.

Also the Court granted the leave to serve INEC, the seventh defendant at the office in Ado Ekiti.

While giving his rulling on the time frame for the respondent, Ikuewunmi abridged the time from 30 days to 7 days within which the defendants should file defense. 

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However, the court declined to grant application restraining the 4th respondent, the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Dr Wole Oluyede from parading himself as the duly elected candidate for being pre- matured.

It would be recalled that the party conducted its primary on November 8 by the Ibrahim Dankwambo led electoral committee which declared Oluyede the winner having scored 279 votes while Funso Ayeni scored 239 and Funmi Ogun scored 17 votes. 

Having dissatisfied with the outcome of the primary election, Funso Ayeni approached the court to restraining Oluyede from parading himself as the duly elected candidate of the party which was refused by the court.

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The former Commissioner for Works and aspirant in the election, Funmi Ogun has since congratulated Oluyede on his victory as the duly elected candidate of the party. She has equally assured him of her readiness to work with him to ensure the party wins the general election.

Justice Ikuewumi adjourned the case till December 1 for further hearing.

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