Governor Biodun Oyebanji has been confirmed as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2026 election in Ekiti State following a consensus affirmation exercise held on Monday at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti.
The event saw 885 delegates from the 16 local government areas of the state endorse Oyebanji, who is seeking a second term in office. The special nomination congress was supervised by a 10-member committee chaired by Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, and officially ratified Oyebanji’s candidacy after the voluntary withdrawal of the only other cleared aspirant, Mrs Atinuke Omolayo.
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo served as deputy chairman, while Hon. Taiwo Sunmonu acted as secretary of the committee.
During the session, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a 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 9 of the Electoral Act, 2022. I so move,” Bamidele declared.
The motion was seconded by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Stephen, who described the decision as a historic moment for the party.
Reacting to his confirmation, Oyebanji sang worship songs alongside his wife and dedicated the victory to God, expressing gratitude to the delegates and party leadership for their trust and support.
“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,” the governor said.
Oyebanji described the consensus process as a milestone in Ekiti’s political history, noting that it demonstrated unity, maturity, and stability within the APC.
“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 added.
The governor extended appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee (NWC), led by Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, for their guidance and support.
“We are immensely grateful to Mr President for his leadership, and to the NWC for guiding this process,” he said.
The event was held under tight security, with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) ensuring order and safety around the venue. Vehicular movement was restricted, and checkpoints were set up along major routes in Ado-Ekiti.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who hosted members of the APC committee ahead of the congress, described the consensus adoption as a reflection of unity and political maturity within the party.
“We held a productive engagement ahead of the Special Nomination Congress, which officially ratified Governor Abiodun Oyebanji as our party’s governorship candidate,” Fayemi wrote on X.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, had earlier announced the shift from direct primaries to consensus, explaining that the arrangement was approved by the National Working Committee in line with party rules and the Electoral Act.
“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 stated.
With the ratification, Governor Oyebanji is now officially the APC flagbearer for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election.
