Ahead of the primary elections scheduled to hold on October 27, 2025, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has adopted the Governor of Ekiti state, Biodun Oyebanji as the consensus candidate of the party
TheHintsNews reports that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party last week disqualified other governorship aspirants, Kayode Ojo and Mrs. Abimbola Olawumi from contesting the primary.
The party said that their disqualification was predicated on the fact that their filings did not conform with the provisions of the APC constitution and the Electoral Act.
However, the decision of the ruling party to adopt Oyebanji as the consensus candidate followed the voluntary withdrawal of Mrs. Oluremi Omolayo from the race.
The party made its decision known in a letter dated 13th October, 2025 and jointly signed by the National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the plan of the party to change the mode of primary from Direct to Consensus.
It reads: “Please refer to our letters of 30th July, 2025 with Ref. No. APC/NHDO/NEC/19/025/027; 6th August, 2025 with Ret No. APC/NHOQ/INEC/19/025/028 and 9th October, 2025 with Ref. No. APC/NHDO/INEC/19/025/035.
“Sequel to the above quoted correspondence, we wish to formally inform the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of recent developments relating to the conduct of the Party’s Governorship Primary Election in Exit State.
“Two aspirants were cleared to contest the primary election scheduled to be held on 27th October, 2025 through the Direct Primary mode. The cleared aspirants are Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and (2) Mrs. Atinuke Omolayo.
“The party has however received a letter from Mrs Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo, one of the two cleared aspirants, conveying her voluntary decision to withdraw from the contest.
“In her letter, Mrs. Omolayo expressed her endorsement of Governor Biodun Abeyomi Oyebanji as the consensus Candidate and affirmed her support for any consensus arrangement adopted by the party in nominating as flag bearer, in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022 and the constitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC). A copy of the letter is herewith attached
“This development effectively leaves Governor Oyebanji as the sole aspirant and Consensus candidate for the Governorship Primary Election.
“Consequently, in view of Mrs. Omolayo’s voluntary withdrawal and the endorsement of a consensus arrangement, the party is compelled by law with Section 84 (11) of the Electoral Act to change the mode of the Primary Election from Direct Primary to Consensus.
“By virtue of Section 84(9) and (11) of the Electoral Act 2022, where a political party adopts 8 consensus candidate, it is required to:
“ (I) Obtain the written consent of a cleared aspirant for the position, signifying their voluntary withdrawal and endorsement of the consensus candidate and
‘(ii) Conduct a Nomination Congress at the designated venue to ratify the choice of the consensus candidate.
“In compliance with the above provisions, find attached the written consent of the only other cleared aspirant, signifying her voluntary withdrawal and endorsement of Governor Oyebanji as the consensus candidate.
“Accordingly, pursuant to Section 84(11) of the Electoral Act, the Nomination Congress has been scheduled to hold by 10 a m on Monday, 27th October 2026 at Ekiti State Pavilion, New Iyin Road, Ado Ekiti to ratify the only remaining cleared aspirant.”
The party added that consequent on this development, the Schedule of Activities and Timetable of the party has been amended accordingly.
It said that Delegate Congress would now be held on Saturday 25th October, 2025, while Delegate Congress Appeal is scheduled to hold on Sunday 26th October, 2025 and Special Nomination Congress to ratify the choice of the Consensus Candidate will hold on Monday 27th October,2025.
“The Commission is hereby notified of the above and invited to monitor the relevant activities as required by law. Thank you and please accept the assurances of our highest regards,’’ it said.