Gov Oyebanji emerges as APC consensus candidate for 2026 Ekiti guber election

Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State has been confirmed as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the June 20, 2026, governorship election.

The development comes after Hon. Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo, the only other aspirant cleared to contest in the party’s primary originally scheduled for October 27, 2025, voluntarily withdrew from the race.

In a letter jointly signed by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, the party formally informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its decision to adopt Oyebanji as the consensus flagbearer.

The correspondence, dated October 13, 2025, and titled “Re: 2025 Ekiti State Governorship Election: Notification of Change of Mode for Primary Election and Details of Nomination of Consensus Candidate,” confirmed the party’s switch from the direct primary mode to a consensus arrangement.

According to the letter, both Oyebanji and Omolayo were initially cleared for the contest, but Mrs. Omolayo later wrote to the party conveying her decision to step down and endorse Governor Oyebanji as the consensus candidate.

“In her letter, Mrs. Omolayo expressed her endorsement of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji as the consensus candidate and affirmed her support for any consensus arrangement adopted by the party in nominating its flagbearer, in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022 and the APC Constitution,” the letter read.

The APC explained that with Omolayo’s withdrawal, Governor Oyebanji remains the sole aspirant, compelling the party under Section 84 (11) of the Electoral Act to change its primary mode from direct election to consensus.

The party further noted that in line with Sections 84(9) and (11) of the Electoral Act 2022, a nomination congress will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 27, 2026, at the Ekiti State Pavilion, New Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti, to ratify Oyebanji’s candidacy.

It also attached Omolayo’s written consent and endorsement of the consensus decision, as required by law, and urged INEC to monitor the congress in line with electoral regulations.

The APC reiterated its full compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and its constitution, expressing confidence that Governor Oyebanji’s emergence as consensus candidate will strengthen the party’s unity ahead of the 2026 governorship poll.