A Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Tuesday nullified the emergence of Wole Oluyede as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer, ordering a fresh primary election over what it described as serious irregularities.
Delivering judgment, Justice Babs Kuewumi upheld the claims of Funso Ayeni, who challenged the conduct of the primary, declaring that the process was flawed and could not stand. The court held that the exercise was marred by “gross abuse of process, blatant disregard for electoral guidelines, and clear violations of the fundamental principles governing the Peoples Democratic Party.”
Justice Kuewumi further ruled that the conduct of the primary was “inconsistent with the party’s own rules and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which binds all individuals and institutions without exception.”
Ayeni had approached the court alleging that the approved delegate list was manipulated on the day of the election, a claim the court found credible. According to the judgment, the irregularities raised went to the root of the exercise and rendered the outcome invalid.
Consequently, the court set aside Oluyede’s candidacy and ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh primary election in line with its constitution, guidelines, and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
Boluwatife Enome
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