### Court Ruling Disrupts PDP Primary in Ekiti: Oluyede's Future in Question On January 13, 2026, a Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti nullified the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, which had resulted in Dr. Wole Oluyede being declared the winner. The court's decision mandates a fresh primary election due to alleged irregularities and non-compliance with legal standards during the initial process. Oluyede has expressed his intention to appeal the ruling, labeling it as unjust and procedurally flawed, and plans to file an appeal promptly through his legal representative, Owoseni Ajayi [https://punchng.com/ekiti-poll-oluyede-plans-appeal-as-court-nullifies-pdp-primary][https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/14/wole-oluyede-vows-to-appeal-pdp-primary-nullification-in-ekiti]. ### Breakdown of the Court's Decision and Reactions 1. **Court's Findings**: - The Federal High Court found significant irregularities in the PDP primary election held on November 8, 2025, leading to its nullification. - The ruling was based on breaches related to the delegate list and procedural compliance, which the court deemed necessary for a fair electoral process [https://guardian.ng/politics/ekiti-guber-pdp-kicks-as-court-voids-primary-orders-fresh-election][https://independent.ng/court-nullifies-pdp-guber-primary-in-ekiti]. 2. **PDP's Response**: - The PDP has expressed dissatisfaction with the court's ruling, claiming it undermines the party's internal processes and electoral integrity. - The party is expected to organize a new primary election as ordered by the court, which could significantly alter the political landscape in Ekiti State ahead of the upcoming elections [https://pmparrotng.com/2026/01/14/ekiti-guber-pdp-cries-foul-as-court-orders-fresh-primary][https://thewillnews.com/ekiti-guber-federal-court-sacks-pdp-candidate-orders-fresh-primary]. 3. **Oluyede's Appeal Plans**: - Dr. Wole Oluyede has vowed to challenge the court's decision, asserting that the ruling is not only unjust but also procedurally flawed. - His legal team is preparing to file an appeal, which may delay the timeline for the new primary election [https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/14/wole-oluyede-vows-to-appeal-pdp-primary-nullification-in-ekiti][https://independent.ng/pdp-kicks-as-court-orders-fresh-governorship-primaries-in-ekiti]. ### Evidence Supporting the Court's Ruling - **Irregularities Identified**: - The court's judgment highlighted specific breaches in the delegate list and procedural compliance, which are critical for ensuring a transparent electoral process. - Justice Babs Kuewumi, who presided over the case, emphasized the need for adherence to legal standards in party primaries to maintain electoral integrity [https://thewhistler.ng/ekiti-guber-court-sacks-pdp-candidate-orders-fresh-primaries][https://authorityngr.com/2026/01/13/ekiti-2026-court-nullifies-pdp-primaries-over-delegates-list-orders-fresh-exercise]. ### Conclusion: Implications for Ekiti's Political Landscape 1. **Immediate Impact**: - The court's ruling has immediate implications for the PDP and its candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, who now faces uncertainty regarding his candidacy. - A fresh primary election will be necessary, which could lead to a different candidate representing the PDP in the upcoming governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026. 2. **Future Considerations**: - The appeal process initiated by Oluyede may influence the timeline and outcome of the new primary election. - The PDP's response and ability to navigate this legal challenge will be crucial in maintaining its position in Ekiti State politics [https://newtelegraphng.com/guber-poll-court-nullifies-ekiti-pdp-primaries-orders-fresh-election][https://insidebusiness.ng/237759/court-nullifies-ekiti-pdp-governorship-primary-disqualifies-oluyede-as-flag-bearer]. In summary, the recent court ruling has not only nullified the PDP primary but also set the stage for a potentially transformative period in Ekiti State's political landscape, with significant implications for party dynamics and electoral integrity.