Ekiti PDP primary: Court rejects request to restrain Oluyede as governorship candidate

From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti

The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday refused to grant an application seeking to restrain the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, Dr Wole Oluyede, from parading himself as the duly elected candidate of the party in the state.

Justice Babs O. Kuewumi of Court 1, Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, delivered the ruling.

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

Before Justice Kuewumi, Barr Stanley Okonkwo represented Ayeni and Barr Owoseni Ajayi represented the candidate of the PDP, Oluyede.

In an application brought before the court, Okonkwo sought leave to serve the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all other defendants outside jurisdiction in Ado-Ekiti.

Justice Kuewumi, in his ruling, granted leave to serve the PDP and the 2nd to 6th defendants by substituted service at the PDP Secretariat, Ajilosun, Ado-Ekiti.

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

While giving his ruling on the time frame for the respondents, Justice Kuewumi abridged the time from 30 days to seven days within which the defendants should file their defence.

However, the court refused to grant the application that would restrain the 4th respondent, the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Oluyede, from parading himself as the duly elected candidate for being premature.

Recall, the PDP in Ekiti State held its gubernatorial primary election on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Ado-Ekiti, where Oluyede polled the highest votes, defeating other contestants, including Funso Ayeni and Funmi Ogun, in the election.

The election was conducted under the watchful eyes of members of the election committee chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and newsmen.

Ayeni, the plaintiff and one of the contestants in the primary election, who was not satisfied with the outcome of the election, had approached the court and prayed it to restrict Oluyede from parading himself as the elected candidate of the PDP to fly its flag in next year’s poll, but the court did not grant his prayer.

Ogun, the only female contestant in the election, has since congratulated Oluyede on his victory. She also pledged to work with him for the PDP to achieve victory in the 2026 poll.

Justice Kuewumi adjourned the case till Monday, December 1, 2025, for further hearing.