APC Confirms Governor Oyebanji As 2026 Ekiti Governorship Candidate
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially confirmed the incumbent Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, as its flagbearer for the 2026 governorship election in the state. The decision was reached following a high-level meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) held in Abuja on Tuesday, October 15, 2025.
In a statement signed by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party said Oyebanji’s emergence followed a broad consensus among party stakeholders, including members of the Ekiti State Executive Council, serving lawmakers, and the leadership of the party at both state and national levels.
According to the statement, Governor Oyebanji’s performance, loyalty, and leadership record since assuming office in 2022 made him the natural choice to lead the APC into the 2026 polls.
“After careful consultations and wide-ranging discussions with critical stakeholders, the National Working Committee of our great party is pleased to confirm His Excellency, Biodun Oyebanji, as the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for Ekiti State in the forthcoming 2026 election,” the statement read.
The announcement has received widespread commendation from top APC leaders within and outside Ekiti State. Former Governor and current Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, hailed the decision as “a reward for continuity, stability, and developmental governance.”
“Oyebanji has sustained the vision of good governance in Ekiti. His people-centered leadership and commitment to the development of the state justify his re-nomination,” Fayemi said.
Similarly, the Ekiti APC State Chairman, Paul Omotosho, described Oyebanji as a “unifying leader” who has managed to maintain peace within the party and deliver impactful governance despite economic challenges.
Reacting to his confirmation, Governor Oyebanji expressed gratitude to the APC leadership and the people of Ekiti for the confidence reposed in him. He pledged to continue prioritizing inclusive development, youth empowerment, and infrastructural growth across the state.
“This is not just a personal victory but a call to greater service. I remain committed to building an Ekiti that works for everyone — farmers, students, workers, and entrepreneurs alike,” he said during a press briefing at the Government House in Ado-Ekiti.
He also appealed for unity within the party, urging all aspirants who had shown interest in the governorship race to support his candidacy for the collective progress of the state.
Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties in the state have criticized the APC’s decision, describing it as “undemocratic” and a “stage-managed endorsement.”
The PDP Publicity Secretary, Lere Olayinka, alleged that the process excluded other qualified aspirants within the APC and accused the ruling party of imposing a single candidate without a fair primary election.
“APC has once again shown Nigerians that internal democracy means little to them. Ekiti deserves a fair contest, not a pre-arranged coronation,” Olayinka said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set June 20, 2026, as the tentative date for the Ekiti State governorship election, with political parties expected to conclude their primaries by March 2026.
With Oyebanji’s confirmation, the APC becomes the first major party to officially announce its candidate ahead of the election.
As the political atmosphere in Ekiti begins to heat up, Oyebanji’s candidacy is expected to shape the dynamics of the 2026 governorship race. With his incumbency advantage and strong support base within the APC, analysts believe the coming election will be a major test of both the ruling party’s popularity and the strength of the opposition in the state
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