A legal dispute surrounding the selection of the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Ekiti State has taken another turn after the Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti postponed further proceedings in the case challenging the outcome of the party’s primary election.
The court announced a new hearing date of December 8, 2025, giving all parties additional time as the legal battle over the party’s nomination process continues.
At the centre of the controversy is Wole Oluyede, who emerged victorious during the PDP governorship primary conducted on November 8, 2025. During that internal election exercise, Oluyede secured 279 votes, defeating fellow aspirants Funsho Ayeni and Funmi Ogun in the contest supervised by an electoral committee headed by former Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo.
However, the outcome did not settle the race within the party. One of the defeated contenders, Funsho Ayeni, approached the court seeking to invalidate the process that produced Oluyede as the party’s flag bearer.
The lawsuit, filed under case number FHC/AD/CS/29/2025, argues that the primary election was marred by irregularities and therefore should not stand as the legitimate process for selecting the party’s governorship candidate.
During the most recent court sitting, Ayeni’s legal representation was led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kola Kolade, while Oluyede’s defence team featured prominent lawyer Ola Olanipekun, SAN, alongside Barrister Owoseni Ajayi. The Peoples Democratic Party itself was also represented in the proceedings by Barrister Ola Alonge, the party’s legal adviser from Osun State.
Presiding judge Justice Babs Ikuewumi assured both sides that the judiciary would treat the matter with urgency. While postponing the case, the judge indicated that the court intends to ensure the dispute receives swift attention so that the issues raised can be resolved without unnecessary delays.
According to Gossip News Now, the legal challenge has become one of the most closely watched developments in Ekiti’s political landscape as the state gradually moves toward the next governorship election cycle.
Political Ripples Beyond Ekiti
Beyond the courtroom proceedings, the PDP’s internal politics has also drawn attention following comments by party chieftain Umar Sani, who offered an explanation regarding the absence of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke from the party’s primary activities.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Sani suggested that unresolved disagreements within the party may have influenced Adeleke’s decision not to participate directly in the process.
Sani further alleged that the governor was cautious about the legitimacy of the party’s candidate selection process. According to him, there were concerns that the party might struggle to produce a candidate who would ultimately be recognized as valid under the law.
The PDP chieftain also claimed that Adeleke might have considered a temporary political move outside the party structure in order to secure a nomination elsewhere before possibly returning to the PDP fold.
Delegate Election Process Explained
Providing additional details about the party’s internal activities, Sani revealed that he personally supervised the delegate selection process in Osogbo, where a three-member ad hoc committee conducted the exercise.
He described the delegate election as calm and orderly, emphasizing that the process followed established procedures. The results, he said, were promptly uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal for official documentation and verification.
According to Sani, the party leadership remained firm that no aspirant should attempt to bypass the official procedures established for selecting candidates.
He stressed that all contenders were required to participate fully within the party’s internal framework in order to maintain the credibility of the PDP and protect the integrity of its nomination process.
Commentary and Analysis
The ongoing court case highlights the persistent challenges political parties in Nigeria face during candidate selection processes. Internal primaries often generate disputes, especially when aspirants question the transparency or fairness of the procedures.
If the court ultimately rules in favour of the plaintiff, the PDP could be forced to revisit its nomination process in Ekiti State, potentially reshaping the party’s electoral strategy ahead of the governorship election.
On the other hand, if the court upholds Oluyede’s victory, the decision could reinforce the authority of the party’s electoral committee and strengthen Oluyede’s legitimacy as the PDP’s standard bearer.
Political analysts believe that the December hearing could become a critical moment for the PDP in Ekiti, as prolonged internal disputes may affect party unity and campaign preparation.
For now, attention remains focused on the court’s next sitting, where both sides will continue presenting their arguments in a case that could determine the future direction of the party in the state.
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