During the exercise, 885 delegates from the 16 Local Government Areas of the state endorsed Oyebanji, who is seeking a second term as governor.
The governorship election is scheduled for 20 June 2026.
The special nomination congress, supervised by a 10-member committee chaired by Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, ratified Oyebanji’s candidacy after the voluntary withdrawal of the only other cleared aspirant, Mrs. Atinuke Omolayo.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, served as deputy chairman of the committee, while Hon. Taiwo Sunmonu acted as secretary.
Earlier, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central) had moved a motion for the ratification of Oyebanji’s nomination as the party’s consensus candidate.
‘I, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, hereby move a motion that this Ekiti Special Nomination Congress ratify the nomination of His Excellency, Biodun Oyebanji, as the consensus gubernatorial candidate of the Ekiti State APC, according to Section 84, Subsection 9 of the Electoral Act, 2022. I so move’, he said.
The motion was seconded by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Stephen, who described the decision as a historic moment for the party.
He also thanked the committee, delegates, and President Bola Tinubu for their efforts and support for the development.
Oyebanji expressed gratitude to the party leadership and delegates for entrusting him with the ticket for a second time.
‘I am honoured and appreciative of this rare privilege which you are giving for the second time.
‘If words fail to fully express the depth of my excitement and gratitude, please forgive my bluntness; I will eternally be indebted to you all’, Oyebanji said.
He described the event as a milestone in the state’s political history, adding that it signalled a ‘new level of political maturity and unity within the APC.
‘This is a historic moment in our political development, and it signals a trend towards stability that began in 2022.
‘The decision to make me the consensus candidate for a second time is unprecedented’.
The governor also praised party stakeholders for closing ranks and promoting peace ahead of the 2026 election.
‘All our leaders are united to work together. Those who had shown interest have accepted the party’s decision in good faith.
‘This gesture of unity will strengthen our stability as a party and as a state’, he said.
He extended special appreciation to President Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee (NWC) for their support.
‘We are immensely grateful to Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership, and to the National Working Committee under the leadership of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda for guiding this process’, he said.
Oyebanji pledged continued service to the people of the state, promising to consolidate the gains of his administration.
Heavy security presence was observed around the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, with operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps stationed at key points to ensure a hitch-free process.
Vehicular movement around the venue was restricted, and checkpoints mounted along major routes leading to the area.
A former governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi also hosted members of the state APC committee on consensus primary at his Ado-Ekiti residence ahead of the congress, describing Oyebanji’s adoption as a reflection of ‘unity and maturity within the party.
‘We held a productive engagement ahead of Monday’s special nomination congress, which will officially ratify Governor Abiodun Oyebanji as our party’s governorship candidate’, Fayemi said in a post on X.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka had earlier announced the shift from direct primary to consensus, explaining that the arrangement was approved by the NWC in accordance with party rules and the Electoral Act.
‘The decision followed the voluntary withdrawal of one of the two cleared aspirants, Mrs. Atinuke Omolayo, leaving Governor Biodun Oyebanji as the sole contender’, Morka stated.
Oyebanji’s confirmation positions him as the APC flagbearer ahead of the 2026 Ekiti governorship election.
