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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to notify it of the change in the mode of party primary for the October 27 Ekiti State off-cycle governorship election.
In a correspondence dated October 13, sent to the Commission for the change and acknowledged the same date, the ruling party requested a consensus candidate option.
The letter titled, Re: 2025 Ekiti State governorship election: Notification of change of mode for primary election and details of nomination of consensus candidate, hinged the decision on the withdrawal of the only aspirant cleared to contest against Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.
The letter jointly signed by the APC Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru read: “Please refer to our letters of 30th July, 2025 with Ref. No. APC/NHDO/NEC/19/025/027; 6th August, 2025 with Ref No. APC/NHQ/INEC/19/025/028 and 9th October, 2025 with Ref. No. APC/NHDO/INEC/19/025/035.
“Sequel to the above quoted correspondence, we wish to formally inform INEC of recent developments relating to the conduct of the Party’s Governorship Primary Election in Ekiti State.
“Two aspirants were cleared to contest the primary election scheduled to be held on 27th October, 2025 through the Direct Primary mode. The cleared aspirants are Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and (2) Mrs. Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo.
“The party has however received a letter from Mrs Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo, one of the two cleared aspirants, conveying her voluntary decision to withdraw from the contest.
“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 as flag bearer, in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022 and the constitution of the APC. A copy of the letter is herewith attached,” it read.
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Explaining further, the ruling party noted: “This development effectively leaves Governor Oyebanji as the sole aspirant and Consensus candidate for the Governorship Primary Election.
“Consequently, in view of Mrs. Omolayo’s voluntary withdrawal and the endorsement of a consensus arrangement, the party is compelled by law with Section 84 (11) of the Electoral Act to change the mode of the Primary Election from Direct Primary to Consensus.
“By virtue of Section 84(9) and (11) of the Electoral Act 2022, where a political party adopts a consensus candidate, it is required to: (I) Obtain the written consent of a cleared aspirant for the position, signifying their voluntary withdrawal and endorsement of the consensus candidate and (ii) Conduct a Nomination Congress at the designated venue to ratify the choice of the consensus candidate.
“In compliance with the above provisions, find attached the written consent of the only other cleared aspirant, signifying her voluntary withdrawal and endorsement of Governor Oyebanji as the consensus candidate.
“Accordingly, pursuant to Section 84(11) of the Electoral Act, the Nomination Congress has been scheduled to hold by 10 a.m. on Monday, 27th October 2025 at Ekiti State Pavilion, New Iyin Road, Ado Ekiti to ratify the only remaining cleared aspirant.
“Consequent on this development, the schedule of activities and timetable of the party is hereby amended as follows:
“Delegate Congress Saturday 25th October, 2025, Delegate Congress Appeal Sunday 26th October, 2025. Special Nomination Congress to ratify the choice of the Consensus Candidate on Monday 27th October, 2025.
“The Commission is hereby notified of the above and invited to monitor the relevant activities as required by law,” the letter read.
