The court ordered INEC to recognize the PDP candidate in Ekiti

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Dr. Oluwole Oluyede as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the June gubernatorial election in Ekiti State.

Justice Umar in his ruling also ordered INEC to include the name and logo of the PDP on the election ballot papers.

He was of the view that the application submitted by the PDP and Oluyede had merit and was therefore granted.

The judge, who stated that the plaintiffs had a reasonable cause of action and were entitled to the relief sought, agreed with them that the case before the court was not an issue of the validity of the positions of the party’s national chairman and national secretary.

The plaintiff in his lawsuit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/40/2026, lists INEC as the only defendant in the case.

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The plaintiff, who asked six questions, asked whether having regard to the provisions of Sections 29(1) & (3) and 84(5)(b)(ii) of the 2022 Elections Act, it would not be illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional for INEC not to publish the name of Oluyede, among other candidates in the said election.

They prayed the court to rule that INEC, after monitoring, witnessing and reporting on the party’s gubernatorial primaries held on November 8 and 9, 2025, did not break the law by refusing to publish Oluyede’s name.

They therefore sought an order compelling the defendant to give a confession and announce Oluyede’s name as governorship candidate in the state.