A Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has sacked Dr Wole Oluyede as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ordered a rerun of the party’s primary election.

Delivering judgment, Justice Babs Kuewumi upheld allegations of irregularities brought before the court by Prince Funso Ayeni, who challenged the conduct of the primary election.

Ayeni had approached the court over the alleged manipulation of the approved delegate list on the day of the primary, arguing that the action compromised transparency, internal democracy, and fairness in the process.

In his ruling, Justice Kuewumi held that the exercise was marred by gross abuse of process, disregard for electoral guidelines, and violations of the fundamental principles guiding the PDP. The court said such actions were inconsistent with the party’s rules and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which binds all individuals and institutions.

Reacting to the judgment, the PDP South-West Zonal Publicity Secretary, Sanya Atofarati, said the party would exercise its right of appeal, expressing confidence that the PDP’s legal team would act promptly.

Atofarati insisted that the ruling would not derail the party’s preparations for the forthcoming election, noting that a campaign committee had already been constituted and that grassroots mobilisation was ongoing across Ekiti State ahead of the June 20 governorship poll.

He described the suit as a conspiracy against the party and its candidate, maintaining that the primary election was free and fair, as observed and reported by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“It will appear like a setback going to the fact that by now, people are resolved to change the government in the state because of the underperformance of the current administration,” Atofarati said.

He added that Ekiti people regard the PDP as a tested and trusted party, stressing that delegates freely elected Dr Wole Oluyede after a thorough primary process.

According to him, while some aggrieved aspirants initially approached the court, one later withdrew her petition, leaving only one aspirant to pursue the case.

“Now the court has answered that, and the process was said to have been nullified, but the truth is, this is the first leg of the judicial process,” he said, adding that the party would pursue all available legal options.

Atofarati urged party members to remain resolute, noting that the campaign committee was recently inaugurated and has commenced mobilisation from unit to unit, ward to ward, and across the 16 local government areas of the state.

He assured supporters that the PDP would remain focused and undistracted as it intensifies efforts ahead of the 2026 Ekiti governorship election.