Jubilation in Ekiti as Oyebanji Emerges APC Governorship Candidate
….. salutes President Tinubu, Others APC leaders, woos Opponents
There was wild jubilation and excitement in Ekiti State, on Monday, as Governor Biodun Oyebanji emerged the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the June 20, 2026 election.
Oyebanji emerged through affirmation of his candidacy, by 885 delegates, drawn from the 177 wards across the statutory 16 local government areas of the State, at the venue of the primary, held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado/Ekiti, the State Capital.
In an event involving 885 card- carrying APC delegates, the motion for affirmation was moved by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, pursuant to section 84, subsection 11 of the Electoral Act 2022, and was seconded by the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye.
The motion was affirmed by all the delegates with a thunderous voice vote.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Oyebanji, who was overwhelmed with joy, promised to break the second term jinx and as well upscale performance by vigorously pursuing his shared prosperity agenda that will dismantle poverty and wanton neglect from the State.
Oyebanji appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allowing internal democracy to grow in the party, while also commending the party for the honour of being elected as the candidate. He also expressed appreciation to the Progressive Governors Forum , led by the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, for their solid support.
In an extreme show of political maturity, Oyebanji spread the olive branch to the disqualified aspirant, Engr Kayode Ojo, with open heart and readiness to work with him, saying he begrudged nobody, particularly those who have taken different positions on the governorship primary.
from the governorship race. My action is based on the fact that the Governor has done well and deserves second term. We should give him another chance to work harder and deliver for the good people of Ekiti State. No ambition should be taken personal, it must be in the interest of the people”.
Announcing the result of the affirmation by the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, put the motion to “I” and “Nay” votes and the delegates all thundered “I”, thereby ratifying the process.
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Governor Ododo, who doubles as the Chairman of the Affirmation Congress Committee, denied that the affirmation was a product of imposition, saying this action wasn’t antithetical to democratic norms.
The Kogi State Governor, applauded the party stakeholders for working hard to deliver a seamless process that could produce a candidate that can deliver for the party, saying the template laid in Ekiti will go down in history as removing the hurdle of unnecessary and fierce competition that could lead to killings and maiming within a political system.
Governor Ododo appreciated the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies for displaying highest point of professionalism in monitoring the process to set a template that will be acceptable nationwide.
“This consensus mode of electing a candidate according to the law is not a product of imposition, but a mutual understanding among stakeholders. This is not in any way an exclusion, but a call to duty.With Governor Oyebanji as our candidate, we are sure of victory in 2026.
“Our party is a party that respects the constitution and the electoral law. We didn’t jump any process. You could all see that we have fulfilled all legal and laid down procedures of our party. Consensus process is being laid here in Ekiti State as an acceptable electoral process that can help our democratic system.
“Having fulfilled all legal and procedures laid down by our party and the constitution,. Governor Biodun Oyebanji, is hereby affirmed as the consensus candidate of our party in the governorship election of June 20,2026”.
Presenting the party’s flag to Oyebanji, Governor Ododo, saluted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Prof Nentawe Yilwadta-led National Working Committee of the APC for giving them the opportunity to prosecute the national assignment.
Present at the primary are : The First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, former governor Niyi Adebayo, Ex-governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, members of the House of Representatives, members of the House of Assembly, APC State Chairman, Sola Elesin, Senator Ayo Arise, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, among others.
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