Court Sacks Ekiti PDP Governorship Candidate, Orders Fresh Primary

A massive political bombshell has just exploded in the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A Federal High Court has officially nullified the nomination of the party's governorship candidate for the upcoming 2026 election. The ruling, delivered earlier this week (January 13, 2026), has thrown the opposition party into temporary confusion just as the campaign season is heating up. The judge cited significant irregularities in the primary election process that produced the candidate, declaring it null and void.

The court did not just sack the candidate; it ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary election within a strict timeframe to select a valid flagbearer. This judgment follows a fierce legal battle initiated by aggrieved aspirants who felt cheated during the initial primaries. They argued that the delegates' list was doctored and that the process lacked the transparency required by the Electoral Act. The court agreed with their submission, stating that internal democracy is non-negotiable for any political party seeking to participate in the general election.

This development is a major setback for the PDP, which has been vowing to unseat the ruling APC. Instead of focusing on their campaign strategy against Governor Oyebanji, they are now forced back to the drawing board to resolve internal crises. Political analysts in the state believe this ruling could either fracture the party further if not managed well or provide an opportunity for them to unite behind a more generally consistent candidate. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is mounting on the state party executives to organize a credible fresh primary.

For the ruling APC, this is seen as a strategic advantage. While their opponents are entangled in legal webs and internal fighting, the ruling party is consolidating its base. However, the PDP leadership has urged its supporters to remain calm, promising to comply with the court order and produce a candidate that will eventually win the main election. The streets of Ado-Ekiti are buzzing with discussions on who will emerge from this second chance at a primary.