Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, and his Edo State counterpart, Monday Okpebholo, will on Monday oversee the consensus affirmation congress for the emergence of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate.
The Ekiti Governorship election is scheduled to hold on June 20, 2026.
The affirmation became necessary following the adoption of the Governor as the sole aspirant after the voluntary withdrawal of one of the two cleared contenders, Mrs. Atinuke Omolayo Oluremi, leaving Governor Biodun Oyebanji as the only remaining candidate.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, last Tuesday, announced the shift from a direct primary to a consensus arrangement in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the party’s constitution.
According to Morka, “The All Progressives Congress announces its decision to now adopt the consensus mode for the conduct of its governorship primary election in Ekiti State.
“The change from the earlier indicated direct primary to consensus mode was necessitated by the voluntary withdrawal of one of the two cleared aspirants, Mrs. Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo.
“In a letter to the party, Mrs. Omolayo conveyed her decision to withdraw from the contest and endorse His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, as a consensus candidate. She also expressed her support for any arrangement adopted by the party in nominating its flag bearer in accordance with the law.”
The party also informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the adjustment, which it stated complied with Sections 84(9) and (11) of the Electoral Act regarding the adoption of the consensus mode of primary election.
Morka further disclosed that a Special Nomination Congress would be held on Monday, October 27, 2025, to formally ratify the consensus candidate.
Consequently, the party has set up a 10-member Ekiti State Committee on Consensus Mode Primary to conduct the ratification exercise by 10 a.m. at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
Members of the committee led by Governor Ododo include Okpebholo as Deputy Chairman and Hon. Taiwo Sunmonu as Secretary.
Other members are Iyom Nikky Ejezie, Hon. Rufus Bature, Hon. Latifah Ibirogba, Dr. Chibuzor Nduagbua Agu, Chief Gabriel Oyebode, Chief Hope Dike, and Engr. Shehu Umaru Dange.
