Ododo, Okpebholo to supervise Ekiti APC consensus primary
Usman Ododo, the Kogi State Governor, and his Edo counterpart, Monday Okpebholo, will on Monday (today) oversee the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus affirmation exercise to confirm Governor Biodun Oyebanji as the party’s governorship candidate for Ekiti State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the Ekiti governorship election for June 20, 2026.
Oyebanji emerged as the sole aspirant following the voluntary withdrawal of Atinuke Omolayo, one of the two contenders earlier cleared by the party.
Her decision followed the disqualification of two oher aspirants; Bunmi Kayode-Ojo and Abimbola Olawunmi.
Omolayo’s voluntary withdrawal paved the way for a consensus arrangement ratified by the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC).
The party, in a statement issued by Felix Morka, its National Publicity Secretary, explained that the switch from the planned direct primary to a consensus mode was in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the APC constitution.
According to Morka, Omolayo officially withdrew from the race and endorsed Oyebanji’s candidacy, expressing confidence in the party’s decision to adopt the consensus option. He added that the party had duly informed INEC of the change in compliance with Sections 84(9) and (11) of the Electoral Act.
The APC also announced that a Special Nomination Congress would take place on Monday, October 27, 2025, to formally affirm Governor Oyebanji’s candidacy.
Read also: APC disowns purported timetable for 2025 congresses
A 10-member committee chaired by Governor Ododo has been set up to supervise the exercise scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado Ekiti. Okpebholo will serve as the deputy chairman, while Hon. Taiwo Sunmonu will act as secretary.
Other members of the committee include Iyom Nikky Ejezie, Hon. Rufus Bature, Hon. Latifah Ibirogba, Dr. Chibuzor Nduagbua Agu, Chief Gabriel Oyebode, Chief Hope Dike, and Engr. Shehu Umaru Dange.
