APC adopts Oyebanji as consensus candidate for 2026 Ekiti governorship election

Governor Biodun Oyebanji has officially emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2026 election in Ekiti State.

This follows a consensus affirmation exercise held on Monday at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti.

The exercise, which drew 885 delegates from the 16 local government areas of the state, saw party faithful unanimously endorse Oyebanji’s candidacy for a second term.

The special nomination congress was supervised by a 10-member APC committee chaired by Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, with Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, serving as deputy chairman and Hon. Taiwo Sunmonu as secretary.

The committee officially ratified Oyebanji’s candidacy following the voluntary withdrawal of the only other cleared aspirant, Mrs Atinuke Omolayo.

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who is also a major stakeholder of the APC in Ekiti, moved the motion for Oyebanji’s ratification as the party’s consensus candidate.

“I, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, hereby move a motion that this Ekiti Special Nomination Congress ratify the nomination of His Excellency, Biodun Oyebanji, as the consensus gubernatorial candidate of the Ekiti State APC, according to Section 84, Subsection 11 of the Electoral Act, 2022. I so move,” he said.

The motion was seconded by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Stephen, who described the event as “a historic moment for the party.”

Reacting to his affirmation, Governor Oyebanji, flanked by his wife, broke into worship songs in gratitude to God and dedicated the moment to his Maker.

In his acceptance speech, Oyebanji expressed profound appreciation to the party leadership, delegates, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their confidence in his leadership.

“I am honoured and appreciative of this rare privilege which you are giving for the second time.
If words fail to fully express the depth of my excitement and gratitude, please forgive my bluntness; I will eternally be indebted to you all,” he said.

He described the event as a milestone in Ekiti’s political history, noting that it reflected “a new level of political maturity and unity within the APC.”

“This is a historic moment in our political development, and it signals a trend towards stability that began in 2022.
The decision to make me the consensus candidate for a second time is unprecedented,” he added.

Oyebanji commended party stakeholders for closing ranks and promoting peace ahead of the 2026 governorship poll.

“All our leaders are united to work together. Those who had shown interest have accepted the party’s decision in good faith.
This gesture of unity will strengthen our stability as a party and as a state,” he said.

He also lauded the APC National Working Committee (NWC) for its guidance, adding,

“We are immensely grateful to Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his leadership, and to the NWC under Professor Nentawe Yilwatda for guiding this process.”

The governor pledged continued service to the people of Ekiti, promising to consolidate the achievements of his administration if re-elected.

Security was tight at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, with operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) deployed to strategic points.

Vehicular movement was restricted, and security checkpoints were mounted along major access routes to the venue to ensure a hitch-free process.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, also hosted members of the state APC committee on consensus primaries at his Ado-Ekiti residence ahead of the exercise.

He described the adoption of Oyebanji as “a reflection of unity and maturity within the party.”

“We held a productive engagement ahead of Monday’s Special Nomination Congress, which will officially ratify Governor Abiodun Oyebanji as our party’s governorship candidate,” Fayemi wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Earlier, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, announced that the party had opted for a consensus arrangement instead of direct primaries.

He said the decision, approved by the NWC, was in accordance with party rules and the Electoral Act 2022.

“The decision followed the voluntary withdrawal of one of the two cleared aspirants, Mrs Atinuke Omolayo, leaving Governor Biodun Oyebanji as the sole contender,” Morka explained.

With his confirmation, Oyebanji now stands as the official flagbearer of the APC for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election, positioning him for a potential second term in office.