The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti on Friday adjourned until 8 December 2025 a suit seeking to nullify Dr Wole Oluyede’s emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
Oluyede was declared winner of the party’s primary election held on 8 November 2025 after polling 279 votes to defeat his closest challengers, Funsho Ayeni and Mrs Funmi Ogun.
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The suit, marked FHC/AD/CS/29/2025, was instituted by Mr Ayeni, one of the aspirants in the primary, who is praying the court to void Oluyede’s victory on grounds yet to be fully argued in open court.
At Friday’s proceedings, Mr Kola Kolade, SAN, appeared with other counsel for the plaintiff, Funsho Ayeni. Dr Wole Oluyede was represented by Ola Olanipekun, SAN, and Barrister Owoseni Ajayi, while Barrister Ola Alonge, the Osun State Legal Adviser of the PDP, held brief for the party as the third defendant.
Counsel addressed the court briefly on preliminary issues before Justice Babs Kuewumi rose to review the processes filed by the parties.
After listening to the submissions, Justice Kuewumi assured the parties of a speedy hearing, emphasising the time-sensitive nature of pre-election matters
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“I will ensure this case is heard expeditiously in the interest of justice and the political process,” the judge stated.
He subsequently adjourned further hearing to Monday, 8 December 2025.
The primary election that produced Dr Oluyede had been conducted by a committee headed by former Gombe State governor, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo.
Although the PDP in Ekiti State and the national leadership of the party have endorsed Oluyede’s candidacy, the legal challenge by Ayeni has introduced uncertainty ahead of the 2026 governorship poll.
Political observers say the outcome of the suit could significantly affect the PDP’s preparations and unity in a state where the party is seeking to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The case resumes next week Monday as the court is expected to take substantive arguments from all parties.
