Ado Ekiti
October 17, 2025
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to remain united as the party prepares for its governorship primary, stressing that the process should not create division among party faithful.
The Governor’s appeal followed the conclusion of the party’s screening process which set the stage for his emergence as the APC’s consensus candidate ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Recall that four APC members, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Engineer Kayode Ojo, Abimbola Olawumi, and Mrs. Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo, had shown interest in the party’s ticket. The APC National Working Committee (NWC) subsequently cleared Oyebanji and Omolayo for the party’s primary slated for October 27, while Ojo and Olawumi were disqualified for failing to meet the requirements of the party’s electoral guidelines.
The party, in a statement on Tuesday, also confirmed the withdrawal of Mrs. Omolayo from the contest, thereby paving the way for Governor Oyebanji’s adoption as the APC consensus candidate for the 2026 governorship election.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Thursday during an event marking his third anniversary in office, Oyebanji cautioned supporters against abusive songs and divisive remarks, describing the internal contest as a “family affair.”
“Let me advise our party members that as we move towards the primary election, the party is one; no winner, no loser,” he said. “All of us want to serve the Ekiti people. It is not an offense to be ambitious; every right-thinking Ekiti citizen has the right to aspire to the office of governor. But it is God who puts one in power.”
Governor Oyebanji further appealed for unity and mutual respect among party members, particularly urging his supporters to show love to those who had backed other aspirants.
“Those APC members that supported Engineer Kayode Ojo committed no crime. Embrace them with love, not hatred, if they are ready to work with the party. A political party is not a personal property or a family property,” the Governor said.
He emphasized that there was no victor nor vanquished in the process, reiterating his commitment to a peaceful and united APC. “Nobody has won in this battle; all of us have won. I am not begrudging anybody because this is a family contestation. Once it is resolved, all of us must come together to ensure the family goes on,” he concluded.
