October 29, 2025
The BAO Media Centre has dismissed as baseless and politically motivated the recent statement credited to a self-acclaimed Coalition of Civil Society Groups, which alleged a lack of internal democracy in the Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the Centre, the group’s claims are nothing but a poorly scripted political blackmail sponsored by individuals who are uncomfortable with the peace, unity, and stability currently being enjoyed under Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji. It noted that the coalition’s statement was a deliberate distortion of facts and a shameful attempt to mislead the public about a transparent process that was conducted strictly in line with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.
Explaining how the consensus arrangement came about, the Centre said four aspirants initially obtained nomination forms to contest the 2026 APC governorship primary election in Ekiti State. Out of the four, one was disqualified for not being a registered member of the party, while another failed to meet up with the requirements of the party’s electoral guideline. Two aspirants, Mrs. Atinuke Omolayo and Governor Biodun Oyebanji, were therefore cleared to proceed to the primaries.
In an admirable display of political maturity and fairness, Mrs. Atinuke Omolayo voluntarily stepped down for Governor Oyebanji, citing his credibility, proven performance, and overwhelming acceptability across the state as her reason for withdrawal. Following her withdrawal, the party wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to formally notify the commission of the development and requested a change of election modality, given that only one aspirant was left in the race.
That was the origin of the consensus, a lawful, transparent, and party-guided process that stands as a shining example of internal democracy in action. “This was not an imposition,” the Centre said. “It was a legitimate outcome of due process and democratic maturity. Those who claim otherwise are either uninformed or intentionally dishonest.”
The Centre noted that this is the first time in the history of Ekiti politics that a party primary election was conducted without bloodshed or crisis. The process leading to the emergence of Governor Oyebanji as the APC candidate was seamless and peaceful. From the delegates’ congress to the affirmation election, Ekiti people were jubilant, excited, and united in celebration of a process they clearly believed in. This alone discredits the claim by the so-called civil society group that the process could lead to unrest. “The Ekiti APC primary was a festival of democracy, not a battleground,” the Centre stated.
On the claim of non-performance, the Centre maintained that Governor Oyebanji’s record speaks for itself. It highlighted his numerous interventions across critical sectors, the ongoing rehabilitation of roads across all senatorial districts, the renewed investment in education and healthcare, the agricultural revolution that is empowering hundreds of young farmers, regular payment of workers’ salaries, as well as youth-focused initiatives like the Ekiti Startup Garage and digital innovation hubs.
“Governor Oyebanji has redefined governance in Ekiti through humility, inclusiveness, and performance,” the statement read. “That is why the party and the people are united behind him. Consensus built on performance is not manipulation; it is democracy working as it should.”
The BAO Media Centre also faulted the credibility of the so-called coalition, describing it as a rented crowd of faceless organizations fronting for disgruntled politicians who failed to find relevance within the APC. “Real civil societies do not serve as mouthpieces for failed aspirants. They pursue facts, not fabrications. They defend democracy, not destroy it,” the statement added.
On the group’s claim that the political development in Ekiti could affect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political future, the Centre dismissed the suggestion as laughable and out of touch with reality. It stressed that Ekiti remains one of President Tinubu’s most loyal bases, where the APC structure has remained solid, peaceful, and united under Oyebanji’s leadership.
It recalled that under Governor Oyebanji’s watch, barely six months into office, Ekiti delivered impressively for President Tinubu during the 2023 general elections. “Now, as a settled and more experienced governor who has successfully united political leaders across divides, the APC should rest assured of total and unprecedented victory for President Tinubu in 2027,” the Centre added.
“What Ekiti has achieved is not division but progress, not chaos but coordination. The state today represents the model of political stability and democratic tolerance that every other state should emulate,” the Centre emphasized.
Concluding, the BAO Media Centre reaffirmed that the adoption of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji as the APC governorship candidate in Ekiti State was a product of genuine democracy, not manipulation. The Centre stressed that the entire process, from screening to consensus, was transparent, peaceful, and reflective of the people’s collective will.
“Those peddling lies about internal democracy are only exposing their frustration with a system that now rewards merit, loyalty and integrity,” the statement noted.
“Governor Oyebanji has shown that politics in Ekiti can be peaceful, people-driven, and principled. What happened in Ekiti is not an erosion of democracy, but its finest expression, where performance and public trust speak louder than propaganda.”
