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From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, under the name Concerned APC Patriots (CAP), have rejected the nomination of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, as the running mate of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the 2026 gubernatorial election in the state.
The members, who alleged that Afuye is not fit for the position, noted that the office of the deputy governor should be entrusted in the hands of a capable individual, describing her nomination as “putting a square peg in a round hole”.
Oyebanji is seeking re-election to continue in office beyond 2026, and Afuye was nominated to also continue in office as his deputy.
The group made this known in a statement signed by its convener, Mr Joshua Ademola, and provided to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, August 11, 2025.
They noted that most, if not all, of the critical functions that should be performed by the deputy in the absence of the governor, including representing Oyebanji at various meetings in Abuja, are either delegated to other officers of government or left unattended.
“We are of the view that in a state renowned for being one that parades the most educated people, it has become embarrassing that someone whose educational qualifications are questionable is being paraded as the deputy governor.
“We believe that Afuye’s current election as deputy governor was a mistake which should not be allowed to repeat itself by making sure that a more educated and capable individual is nominated to replace her.
“She has been a liability to the administration in the last three years, with no positive contribution as expected from the deputy governor, which has been unsettling to the party and government.
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“The position of a deputy governor is so strategic; apart from being a co-pilot with the governor, he/she can become governor in the absence of the governor, which is why the party cannot afford to nominate an unfit person for the position.
“We must state that we are not opposed to nominating another woman, and we are not opposed to a nomination zoned to Ekiti South Senatorial District, nor are we opposed to micro-zoning the position to Ikere-Ekiti.”
While urging the APC to begin scouting for Afuye’s replacement, especially as the party’s primary election is fast approaching, they warned that retaining her could have devastating consequences for the party in next year’s poll.
Reacting, the APC’s Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, said the group’s request cannot be granted, adding that Afuye was not nominated by the party.
“What they are asking for is not possible because our current deputy governor is very competent, reliable, and loyal.
“From the APC, we trust her, and we couldn’t have wished for a better deputy governor for our performing governor.
“By the way, it is not the party that selects the deputy governor; it is beyond us,” Dipe stated.
