Governor Biodun Oyebanji has secured the APC ticket for the 2026 Ekiti governorship race.
Delegates endorsed him as the sole contender after his only opponent stepped down.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji has secured the All Progressives Congress ticket for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State after a consensus affirmation held on Monday in Ado Ekiti.
Delegates from all 16 local government areas endorsed the governor for a second term. A total of 885 delegates took part in the exercise at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion.
The party’s special nomination congress was supervised by a 10 member committee led by Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo. The only other cleared aspirant, Atinuke Omolayo, had withdrawn from the race before the event.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved the motion for Oyebanji’s confirmation, which was seconded by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Stephen.
Speaking after his ratification, Oyebanji thanked party leaders and delegates for the confidence they placed in him. He described the endorsement as a sign of growing unity in the APC in Ekiti. He also appreciated President Bola Tinubu and the party’s national leadership for their support.
The governor pledged to continue serving the state and to build on the achievements of his administration as the 2026 polls approach.
Security agencies mounted heavy presence around the venue to ensure order, while movement was restricted near the area.
Former governor Kayode Fayemi also welcomed the development, saying the consensus agreement showed maturity among APC leaders in Ekiti.
Earlier, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka had explained that the National Working Committee approved the shift to a consensus process after Omolayo stepped down, leaving Oyebanji as the sole contender.
With this decision, the governor will now lead the party into the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.
