The All Progressives Congress (APC) has adopted the consensus option to select its governorship candidate for the October 27 primary election in Ekiti State, following the voluntary withdrawal of one of the two cleared aspirants, Mrs. Atinuke Omolayo.
The decision, which leaves Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji as the sole contender, was announced in a statement on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.
Morka explained that the APC National Working Committee (NWC) approved the shift from the earlier planned direct primary to a consensus arrangement, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the APC Constitution.
“The All Progressives Congress announces its decision to now adopt the consensus mode for the conduct of its governorship primary election in Ekiti State,” Morka stated.
He noted that the change became necessary after Mrs. Omolayo voluntarily withdrew from the race and endorsed Governor Oyebanji as the party’s consensus candidate.
“In a letter to the party, Mrs. Omolayo conveyed her decision to withdraw from the contest and endorse His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, as a consensus candidate. She also expressed her support for any arrangement adopted by the party in nominating its flag bearer in accordance with the law,” the statement read.
Morka added that the development had been formally communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through a letter dated October 13, 2025, in compliance with statutory requirements under Sections 84(9) and (11) of the Electoral Act.
Timetable for Nomination Activities
According to the statement, the party approved the following timetable for nomination activities:
- Delegate Congress: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Delegate Congress Appeal: Sunday, October 26, 2025
- Special Nomination Congress: Monday, October 27, 2025 to officially ratify the consensus candidate.
Morka commended Mrs. Omolayo for her “spirit of sportsmanship and commitment to party unity and progress,” urging APC leaders, members, and stakeholders in Ekiti to remain united and work towards the party’s victory in the July 20, 2026 governorship election.
He also recalled that another aspirant, Kayode Ojo, had earlier been disqualified by the party’s screening committee on October 9, 2025.
“With the consensus decision, the party is now fully focused on consolidating its structures and preparing for a successful outing in the 2026 Ekiti governorship election,” Morka concluded.
