The Court of Appeal in Akure on Thursday upheld Dr Wole Oluyede as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2026 Ekiti State election.
In a unanimous judgment, the appellate court overturned the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, which had invalidated the party’s primary election.
The three-man panel, headed by Justice Peter Chudi Obiorah, with Justices Jane Esienanwan Inyang and Peter O. Affen as members, declared that the PDP primary was properly conducted.
According to the court, the process that produced Oluyede complied with both the Electoral Act and the constitution of the party.
The judges also ruled that the primary organised by the PDP National Working Committee under Kabiru Tanimu Turaki was lawful.
The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti had, on January 13, 2026, annulled the PDP governorship primary held on November 8 and 9, 2025.
Following the verdict, the PDP filed an appeal, urging the higher court to reverse the judgment of the lower court.
With Thursday’s decision, the appellate court resolved the dispute over the party’s ticket, paving the way for Oluyede to contest the 2026 Ekiti governorship election as the PDP candidate.