Court Orders INEC To Recognise Oluyede As PDP Ekiti Governorship Candidate
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Oluwole Oluyede as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti State.
Delivering judgment in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/40/2026, Justice Umar granted all the reliefs sought by Oluyede and the PDP against the electoral body.
In the ruling, the court criticised INEC for excluding Oluyede from the list of candidates released for the Ekiti governorship poll.
Justice Umar consequently directed the commission to immediately recognise Oluyede as the validly nominated candidate of the PDP in the election.
The court also ordered the electoral body to include the candidate’s name alongside the party’s logo on the ballot for the poll.
The court also ordered the electoral body to include the candidate’s name alongside the party’s logo on the ballot for the poll.
Beyond recognising the candidate, the court issued a perpetual injunction restraining INEC from rejecting or excluding Oluyede from any process or activity relating to the Ekiti governorship election.
The order effectively compels the commission to treat him as the duly nominated PDP flagbearer for the contest.
Before the legal battle, Oluyede had been presented with a certificate of return by the National Chairman of the PDP, Kabiru Turaki (SAN), confirming him as the party’s candidate for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election.
However, the party alleged that INEC, under the leadership of its chairman, Joash Amupitan (SAN), refused to include Oluyede’s name on the official list of candidates.
The development prompted the PDP and its candidate to approach the Federal High Court to challenge the decision.
Reacting to the judgment, the PDP described the ruling as a victory for justice and democratic principles.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party urged INEC to strictly operate within the bounds of the law.
The party warned that actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s multi-party democratic system should be avoided.
The opposition party also called on its supporters and members in Ekiti State to intensify their mobilisation and campaign activities ahead of the election.
It expressed confidence that with Oluyede as its candidate, the party would secure victory in the forthcoming governorship poll.
