By Achile Danjuma
In a significant judicial setback for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the electoral body to restore Dr. Wole Oluyede as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the upcoming Ekiti State election.
Delivering a judgment on Friday, the court nullified INEC’s earlier decision to exclude the PDP from the ballot, describing the commission’s actions as exceeding its legal mandate. The ruling paves the way for Dr. Oluyede to contest in the governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026.
Presiding judge, Honorable Justice Umar, found substantial merit in the application filed by the PDP and its candidate. The court issued a decisive rebuke to INEC, declaring that the commission had acted outside its statutory powers by refusing to publish Dr. Oluyede’s name despite his valid nomination following the party’s primary process.
In a forceful clarification of electoral law, the judgment reinforced that INEC lacks the discretionary authority to unilaterally disqualify or reject candidates properly submitted by recognized political parties. Such actions, the court affirmed, can only be taken on solid legal grounds, not through administrative fiat.
Consequently, the court issued a writ of mandamus, a legally binding order that compels INEC to perform its statutory duty by immediately publishing and including Dr. Wole Oluyede’s name in the official list of candidates for the Ekiti 2026 polls.
This ruling dramatically reshapes the political landscape in Ekiti State, injecting new energy into the governorship race. It not only affirms the internal democracy of the PDP but also serves as a strong check on the regulatory powers of INEC ahead of the 2026 election cycle. With the court having clarified the legal framework, all eyes will now be on INEC’s compliance with the order as the clock ticks toward the June 2026 election date.