The Akure Division of the Court of Appeal has affirmed the validity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election in Ekiti State, which produced Dr. Wole Oluyede as the party’s governorship candidate.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-man panel led by Justice Peter Obiorah, alongside Justice Jane Esienanwan Inyang and Justice Peter O. Affen, the appellate court set aside the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti.
The court held that the PDP primary election conducted by the National Working Committee led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki was valid, transparent, and conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
Reacting to the ruling, the PDP South-West Publicity Secretary and Director of Media and Publicity for the PDP 2026 Governorship Campaign Council, Chief Sanya Atofarati, described the judgment as a victory for democracy and the people of the state.
According to him, the ruling has further strengthened the party’s momentum ahead of the governorship election in the state.
“We welcome the ruling and commend the courage of the judiciary, even in the face of interference by political detractors,” he said.
“The judges in this appeal have demonstrated that democracy can thrive when there is mutual respect for the rule of law.”
Atofarati added that the victory was not only for Oluyede or the PDP but for the entire people of Ekiti State.
