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From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The Kogi State Governor and Chairman of the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress Governorship Primary Committee, Usman Ododo, has clarified that the decision of the Ekiti State APC to adopt Governor Biodun Oyebanji as its consensus gubernatorial candidate for the 2026 election in the state is devoid of any imposition.
Ododo said the decision followed the mutual understanding and collective agreement of leaders and members of the party in the state.
The Kogi State Governor made the clarification on Monday, in Ado-Ekiti, during Ekiti APC affirmation of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, as its consensus candidate for the June 20, 2026, governorship election in the state.
The motion for the affirmation of Governor Oyebanji as the consensus gubernatorial candidate was moved by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and seconded by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye.
All the delegates from across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state voted in favour of the motion moved by Senator Bamidele and seconded by Aribasoye.
Ododo said the affirmation is a reflection of the unity and the trust party members have in the leadership of Governor Oyebanji and the achievements of his administration in three years in office.
“This historic gathering here in Ekiti State is another demonstration of our party’s commitment to internal democracy, unity and progressive leadership.
“With the good works being done by our father, our leader, the father of the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We are not surprised that many people will be interested in our party, the All Progressives Congress.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made our party the platform for Nigerians to continue to witness economic revival and greatness. His leadership has continued to attract everyone to our great party.
“This consensus mode of primary followed wide consultation and collective agreement among leaders, stakeholders and members across the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State. It was also strengthened by the withdrawal of one of the two aspirants cleared to contest the election.
“The APC remains a party of discipline and dialogue. What we are witnessing today is a reflection of our unity and the trust our members have in the leadership of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji. Under Governor Oyebanji, Ekiti State has witnessed visible progress, infrastructure renewal, agricultural development, youth empowerment, education reform, prompt payment of salary and good governance rooted in transparency and accountability.
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“The decision to adopt Governor Oyebanji as the consensus candidate of our great party is not a product of imposition but a mutual understanding and broad-based agreement.
“We commend all aspirants and stakeholders for their maturity and respect for the party’s decision. This consensus is not an exclusion. It is a call to unity and collective victory. The ultimate goal is not just to emerge as a candidate but to win the governorship election and continue with the good works already started in Ekiti State. With Governor Oyebanji, we are sure of victory in Ekiti State come 2026.”
At the ceremony, Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo, one of the two governorship aspirants cleared to contest the election, openly reaffirmed her withdrawal from the race, promising to support Governor Oyebanji to win next year’s election.
“I stand before you today to publicly reaffirm my withdrawal from the Ekiti State Governorship election race. My reason is based on the sound conviction that the governor has done well and he deserves a second term.
“His good works will be to the benefit of the Ekiti people, and this is better than my personal ambition. I will give you my maximum support to ensure that you win for our party in the coming election. I am grateful to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to be part of the process.”
In his acceptance speech, Governor Oyebanji appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his support since piloting the affairs of the state.
He also appreciated other national leaders of the party, the Ekiti National Assembly caucus, especially Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, former governors Niyi Adebayo, Kayode Fayemi and their wives, Speaker and members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and other leaders and members of the party.
He also extended an olive branch to other aspirants in the race and aggrieved members, saying the party belongs to all of them.
“I hereby accept this honour to fly the flag of our great party in the next year’s gubernatorial election, coming up in the state, and I will never take this honour for granted.
“This is so historic, in the sense that this is the first time any ruling party would be doing this for any of its governors in power. Be assured that this gesture will not go unappreciated.
“To my opponents in the race, be assured that there is no victor nor vanquished. We are in the race together, and the party belongs to all of us.
“Please, let’s come together to lift Ekiti, as I am ever ready to embrace everyone, without segregation. I plead that all forms of character assassination, cyberbullying, abuse on social media should stop.”
