- Safiu Kehinde
-
Fayemi, Senate Leader, Present at Declaration Event
In spite of series of protests by some members of the All Progressive Congress in Ekiti, the Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, today emerged the party’s candidate for the next governorship election in the state.
His emergence is despite pending protests by other aspirants like Engr Kayode Ojo and Mrs Abimbola Olajumoke.
NPO Reports that Olajumoke has indeed gone to court to seek redress claiming that the party took her N10m and still disqualified her.
Despite the legal case, the Ekiti APC officially affirmed Biodun Oyebanji as its governorship candidate.
The announcement was made on Monday, during the party’s Affirmation of Consensus Candidate event held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti.
Party leaders and delegates gathered to endorse Oyebanji’s candidacy, describing his selection as a product of unity and consensus within the APC in Ekiti State.
Oyebanji’s declaration as the consensus candidate was announced by Kogi State Governor and chairman of the Ekiti Primary Election Committee, Usman Ododo.
His endorsement was collectively agreed upon by the 885 delegates from the 16 local government areas of the state.
While announcing Oyebanji’s emergence as the consensus candidate, Ododo held that the development has officially dispelled rumours and controversies surrounding the primaries.
“It is on this note that I allow them to present Mr. Oyebanji to the entire people of Ekiti state so that those carrying rumour and those disruptive elements will know it is no longer game as usual.
“We are laying a template of unity, a template of progress.” He said.
On his part, Oyebanji expressed his gratitude to all members of the party for their collective decision to support him.
“Dearest party leaders and members, a moment ago, you elected me as the 2026 governorship candidate of our great party in APC., emerging through a state-wide consensus decision.
“Your endorsement today is an affirmation of the wishes of thousands of our members who made similar decisions in the wards and local government congresses held two days ago.
“I deeply appreciate your decision. I hereby accept this honour to fly the flag of our great party.” Oyebanji said.
In attendance at the event were Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and former Ekiti state governor, Kayode Fayemi.
Also present at the event were Ekiti State lawmakers led by the Senate Majority leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele.