FHC Orders INEC to Restore PDP Candidate Dr. Wole Oluyede to Ekiti 2026 Governorship Ballot

In a landmark ruling delivered this morning, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared the exclusion of Dr. Wole Oluyede as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State governorship election illegal and unlawful.

The presiding judge found substantial merit in the reliefs sought by the applicant and issued far-reaching orders directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately restore and publish Dr. Oluyede’s name on the ballot.

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The court held that INEC acted ultra vires (beyond its powers) and in breach of the Electoral Act 2022 when it refused to publish the name of the PDP candidate following the party’s valid primary election.

The court granted a mandatory order (Order of Mandamus) compelling INEC to forthwith include Dr. Wole Oluyede as the duly nominated PDP candidate on the official ballot paper for the Ekiti governorship poll.

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INEC was directed to give effect to the judgment without delay and to ensure the candidate’s name appears on all official documents, notices, and the ballot for the June 20 election and The court awarded substantial costs against INEC in favour of the applicant.

Dr. Wole Oluyede emerged as PDP candidate following the party’s primary election held in Ado-Ekiti. However, INEC omitted his name from the published list of governorship candidates, prompting the PDP and the candidate to file an originating summons seeking judicial intervention.

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The PDP argued that the exclusion was arbitrary, unlawful, and violated both the party’s internal democratic process and the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Counsel to the applicant, led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, urged the court to restore the candidate and prevent disenfranchisement of PDP supporters in Ekiti State.

Dr. Wole Oluyede: In a brief statement after the ruling, thanked the court for upholding the rule of law and pledged to run an issue-based campaign focused on development, security, and youth empowerment in Ekiti.

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The ruling effectively reinstates the PDP in the Ekiti governorship race and is expected to reshape the political dynamics ahead of the June 20, 2026 election.

This is a developing story.

DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
Send tips to: adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
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