The Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bolaji Egbeyemi Olagbaju has emphasized that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, will still abide by the rules following the adoption of Governor Biodun Oyebanji as its consensus candidate for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election.
Recall that in a letter dated 13th October 2025 and addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC formally notified the electoral body of a change in the mode of primary election from direct primaries to consensus arrangement, in line with the provisions of Section 84(9) and (11) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
According to the party, only two aspirants were cleared to contest the primary; Governor Oyebanji and Mrs. Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo. However, Mrs. Omolayo voluntarily withdrew from the race and endorsed Governor Oyebanji as the consensus candidate of the party.
Speaking on Wednesday on Progress FM Ado-Ekiti, the deputy speaker noted that the ruling party are known to follow due process and upholds electoral guidelines.
She explained that by law, the party will no longer hold a direct primary but consensus as stipulated by the Electoral Act adding that a special nomination congress has been scheduled to ratify Governor Oyebanji’s candidacy.
According to her, “We all know that the APC is a party that values protocols and follows due process. Even though our Governor is the only one left in the race, we will still abide by the rules. On the day of the primary election, members of the party will come together to unanimously declare their support for him as the consensus candidate.”
Meanwhile, INEC has been formally invited to monitor the exercise, which will affirm Oyebanji as the sole aspirant and flag bearer of the APC for the 2026 Ekiti Governorship Election.
