Oyebanji Picked As APC Candidate For Ekiti 2026 Governorship Election

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has officially emerged as the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the June 20, 2026, governorship election.

The ratification took place on Monday in Ado-Ekiti during a special nomination exercise chaired by Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, who also serves as the chairman of the APC primary election committee.

The motion for Oyebanji’s adoption was moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and seconded by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, in line with Section 84(11) of the Electoral Act.

An aspirant, Mrs Atinuke Omolayo, also withdrew from the race and declared her support for Oyebanji, paving the way for his unopposed ratification.

Governor Ododo, while announcing the decision, said all 885 accredited delegates unanimously endorsed Oyebanji through a voice vote. He described the process as peaceful and exemplary, urging other states to adopt the consensus model to promote unity and reduce political tension.

“This is a historic moment for Ekiti. The consensus method has saved resources and strengthened party unity. It should be a model for others across the country,” Ododo said.

In his acceptance speech, Oyebanji expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and party leaders for their support and for facilitating the consensus arrangement. He pledged to continue implementing his administration’s shared prosperity agenda across all sectors of the state’s economy.

The governor said his emergence marked the first time since 1999 that a ruling party in Ekiti would produce a consensus candidate, calling it a symbol of maturity and cohesion within the APC.

Oyebanji also extended an olive branch to other aspirants, including Kayode Ojo, promising to work with all stakeholders to secure victory for the party in the 2026 governorship election and in the 2027 presidential polls.