Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday nullified the outcome of the last Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primary election, and ordered a fresh governorship primary exercise in the state.
The court gave the order, while delivering judgement in a suit, filed by a governorship aspirant of the party, Mr Funsho Ayeni, against the PDP, and the Independent National Election Commission (INEC).
Ayeni had approached the court to challenge the validity of the PDP governorship primary election, alleging that the party, failed to present the original and authentic list of statutory and ad hoc delegates, used for the exercise.
He argued that the absence of the original delegates’ list, constituted a fundamental breach of the PDP guidelines and the Electoral Act, thereby rendering the primary election invalid.
Delivering judgement, Justice Kuewumi, held that the conduct of the primary election did not comply with the provisions of the law and the party’s constitution.
The judge consequently nullified the primary election, and ordered the PDP, in conjunction with INEC, to conduct a fresh governorship primary election, in strict compliance with the law and relevant guidelines.
He further directed that all eligible aspirants be allowed to participate in the fresh primary election, to ensure transparency, fairness, and internal democracy within the party.
The Court had earlier adjourned the case, instituted against the candidate of the PDP, Dr Wole Oluyede till December 8, 2025, for further hearing.
Oluyede had emerged winner of the gubernatorial primary election, conducted on November 8, 2025, by the Sen. Ibrahim Dankwambo-led electoral committee.
Oluyede got 279 votes to defeat Funsho Ayeni and a woman aspirant, Mrs Funmi Ogun.
