A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to officially recognise Oluwole Oluyede as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the upcoming 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Umar, followed a lawsuit filed by Oluyede and the PDP challenging the electoral body’s decision to exclude his name from the official list of candidates released for the election. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/40/2026, sought judicial intervention to compel the commission to acknowledge Oluyede as the party’s rightful flagbearer.

In his judgment, Justice Umar granted all the reliefs requested by the plaintiffs. The court criticized INEC’s decision to omit Oluyede’s name from the candidate list, describing the move as inconsistent with the legal requirements guiding electoral processes in Nigeria.

The judge directed the electoral commission to immediately recognise Oluyede as the duly nominated candidate of the PDP. Additionally, the court ordered that his name must appear on the ballot alongside the party’s official logo during the governorship election.

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The judgment went beyond simple recognition. Justice Umar also issued a perpetual injunction restraining INEC from rejecting or excluding Oluyede from any stage of the Ekiti governorship election process. This means the commission must treat him as the legitimate PDP candidate in all election-related activities moving forward.

The ruling effectively resolves the dispute between the opposition party and the electoral commission over the candidate’s status. By granting the injunction, the court ensured that Oluyede’s participation in the election cannot be obstructed by administrative actions from the electoral body.

Before the dispute reached the courtroom, Oluyede had already been issued a certificate of return confirming his candidacy. The certificate was presented by the PDP’s National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki (SAN), indicating that the party had formally nominated him as its candidate for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election.

Despite this confirmation, the PDP alleged that INEC, led by its chairman Joash Amupitan (SAN), failed to include Oluyede’s name when it published the official list of candidates for the election. The party argued that the omission undermined its internal democratic processes and the rights of its candidate.

Following the exclusion, the PDP and Oluyede filed a legal challenge at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking a judicial order to compel the commission to correct the alleged irregularity.

Reacting to the court’s decision, the PDP welcomed the ruling and described it as a victory for justice and democratic values. The party said the judgment reaffirmed the importance of respecting the rule of law in Nigeria’s electoral system.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP urged INEC to operate strictly within the framework of the law and avoid actions that could undermine Nigeria’s multi-party democratic structure.

The party also called on its supporters and members in Ekiti State to intensify campaign and mobilisation efforts ahead of the governorship election.

According to the statement, the PDP is confident that with Oluyede as its candidate, the party stands a strong chance of winning the election and securing leadership in Ekiti State.

As preparations for the 2026 governorship poll continue, the court’s ruling is expected to shape the political landscape in the state while reinforcing the judiciary’s role in resolving electoral disputes.