A 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.
Our correspondent reports that 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.
The plaintiff 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, the presiding judge, Justice Babs Kuewumi, held that the conduct of the primary election did not comply with the provisions of the law and the party’s constitution.
Justice Kuewumi 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.
The judge 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.
DAILY POST recalls that the Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti had earlier adjourned the case, instituted against the candidate of the PDP, Dr Wole Oluyede till December 8, 2025, for further hearing.
It was after the last adjournment sitting that the date of the judgment was fixed.
Meanwhile, 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.
In the suit numbered FHC/AD/CS/29/2025, Ayeni is challenging Oluyede’s victory in the primary election
During the last hearing, Kola Kolade, SAN, led other lawyers to represent Ayeni, while Ola Olanipekun, SAN, and Owoseni Ajayi, represented Oluyede.
The Osun State Legal Adviser of the party, Ola Alonge, a lawyer, held brief for the PDP.
After listening to submissions by the parties, Justice Babs Kuewumi had assured that he would ensure speedy hearing of the case.