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.
A total of 885 delegates from the 16 local government areas of the state endorsed Oyebanji, who is seeking a second term as governor.
The special nomination congress, supervised by a 10-member committee chaired by Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, 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 of the committee, while Hon. Taiwo Sunmonu acted as secretary.
During the session, Senate Leader and APC stalwart, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion for the ratification of Oyebanji’s nomination 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,” he said.
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 the decision, Oyebanji sang worship songs with his wife as he dedicated the victory to God. He appreciated the committee, delegates, and President Bola Tinubu for their support.
In his acceptance speech, the governor expressed gratitude to the party leadership and delegates for entrusting him with the ticket for a second time.
“I am honoured and appreciative of this rare privilege which you are giving me 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,” Oyebanji said.
He described the event as a milestone in Ekiti’s political history, saying it signaled “a new level of political maturity and unity within the APC.”
“The decision to make me the consensus candidate for a second time is unprecedented,” he added.
Oyebanji praised party stakeholders for promoting peace ahead of the 2026 election, noting that all leaders had agreed to work together.
“This gesture of unity will strengthen our stability as a party and as a state,” he said.
The governor also thanked President Bola Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee for their support.
“We are immensely grateful to Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership, and to the National Working Committee under the leadership of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda for guiding this process,” he stated.
Oyebanji pledged to continue serving the people of Ekiti State and to consolidate on the gains of his administration.
There was a heavy security presence around the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, with operatives from the Police, DSS, and Civil Defence Corps stationed at key points to ensure a smooth process. Vehicular movement around the venue was restricted.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, also hosted members of the state APC committee on consensus primaries ahead of the congress. He described the adoption of Oyebanji as a reflection of “unity and maturity within the party.”
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.
Oyebanji’s confirmation positions him as the APC flagbearer ahead of the 2026 Ekiti governorship election.