As the All Progressives Congress holds its Ekiti State governorship primary today (Monday), Governor Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed confidence that the party will record a sweeping victory across all 177 wards in the state during the June 20, 2026, governorship election.
Oyebanji said his administration’s performance in the past three years had endeared the ruling party to Ekiti people, including members of the opposition, whose support he believes will reflect at the polls.
The governor spoke on Saturday at his Ikogosi-Ekiti ward during the APC delegates’ congress held across the state ahead of Monday’s governorship primary.
The congress was conducted to elect delegates from the 177 wards who will affirm Oyebanji as the party’s flagbearer for the forthcoming governorship election.
The PUNCH reported that the APC National Working Committee had earlier adopted Oyebanji as the party’s consensus candidate following the withdrawal of Mrs Atinuke Olayemi Omolayo, the only other aspirant left in the race after two others — Kayode Ojo and Abimbola Olawumi — were disqualified.
Speaking after casting his vote, Oyebanji commended party members for their unity and peaceful conduct, describing the exercise as another demonstration of the maturity and discipline that define the APC in Ekiti State.
“You can see that our members are happy and united in one accord to exercise their franchise. In all the wards, delegates were elected by consensus — that speaks to the unity between the leadership and membership of the party,” the governor said.
He added, “In the last three years, we have made the party more attractive to people. Many from other parties have joined us because we have delivered on our promises. By the grace of God, our target on June 20 next year is to win all 177 wards — a record that has never been achieved in Ekiti State.”
The Chairman of the APC Delegates Congress Committee for Ekiti State, Mr Jaret Tenebe, described the exercise as peaceful, transparent, and rancour-free.
Tenebe, who is also the APC Chairman in Edo State, congratulated delegates who emerged from the congress and commended Governor Oyebanji for his leadership and the peaceful atmosphere within the party.
“Our team moved round all local governments and wards across the state. I must commend Governor Biodun Oyebanji for making the party proud. The process was smooth, and all due process was followed,” Tenebe said.
Similarly, a coalition of civil society organisations and Independent National Electoral Commission-accredited observers commended the conduct of the ward congresses.
The groups — Citizen Right for Peace and Non-Violence Initiative, Global Development Centre for Rescue Mission Nigeria, and Suitable African Initiative for Sustainable and Positive Development — praised the peaceful exercise in a communiqué read by their coordinator, Romanus Azubuike, in Ado Ekiti on Saturday.
“The election was conducted in a peaceful and conducive manner under the watchful presence of various security agencies,” Azubuike stated, noting that the CSOs monitored the exercise across the three senatorial districts.
He lauded the governor for providing an enabling environment and not interfering in the process despite being a candidate, adding that the exercise was “crucial in ensuring a peaceful and transparent primary election.”
In a further boost to the credibility of the exercise, the Chairman of the APC Appeal Panel for the Ekiti Delegates Congress, Dr Dennis Otiotio, said on Sunday that the panel did not receive a single petition or complaint from any of the 16 local government areas of the state.
Otiotio, who also chairs the APC in Bayelsa State, said the absence of grievances reflected the transparent and harmonious nature of the exercise.
“The party constituted a five-man appeal panel to receive complaints from aggrieved members regarding the conduct of the congress. A public notice was circulated, and by 10 a.m. the following day, we were ready to review any petitions — but none was received,” he said.
He attributed the unity within the party to Oyebanji’s inclusive governance style, which, he said, had strengthened cohesion among members.
“It is evident that Governor Oyebanji’s sterling leadership has fostered harmony within the APC. The consensus achieved across all wards shows the level of cooperation among members,” Otiotio added.
Ekiti State APC Chairman, Mr Olusola Elesin, also hailed the congress as hitch-free, saying the exercise was conducted peacefully without reports of irregularities or malpractice.
“I am glad to inform you that the election was hitch-free across the state. We have not received any report of irregularities, and no committee member has been sanctioned,” he said, commending the electoral committee for its diligence and transparency.
With the delegates’ congress concluded without rancour, party leaders and observers expressed optimism that the APC is well-positioned for a strong showing at the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.
