Kogi State Governor and Chairman of the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Primary Committee, Usman Ododo, has expressed confidence that the ruling party will retain power in Ekiti State with a wider margin in the forthcoming June 20, 2026 governorship election.
Ododo gave the assurance on Sunday at the APC State Secretariat in Ado Ekiti, shortly after the committee’s inauguration by the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yiwatda.
The governor said the primary election, which will be conducted through a consensus arrangement, was designed to deepen internal democracy and foster unity within the party.
“President Bola Tinubu has enhanced the capacity of our party to defeat the opposition in elections. APC will retain Ekiti with a wider margin,” Ododo declared.
He commended party stakeholders in the state for their patriotism and commitment to peace and progress, praising them for embracing consensus as a unifying strategy.
Ododo also called for sustained support from party members and residents of Ekiti State as the APC prepares for the 2026 governorship poll and the 2027 general elections, assuring that the committee would deliver a “smooth and hitch-free exercise.”
“We have done it before, and we will do it again,” he added confidently.
Consensus Candidate Confirmed
Speaking through his representative, Deputy National Organising Secretary Nze Chidi Duru, APC National Chairman Prof. Yiwatda confirmed that the governorship primaries will indeed be conducted via the consensus mode.
He stated that the 885 delegates who will affirm the party’s choice had already emerged from the delegates’ congress held on Saturday.
Yiwatda also commended the Delegates Congress Committee and the Appeal Committee for carrying out their responsibilities credibly and transparently.
Oyebanji Emerges as Consensus Flagbearer
PUNCH Online reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Ekiti State Governorship Election for June 20, 2026.
Out of the four aspirants who initially expressed interest in the APC ticket, the National Working Committee (NWC) cleared Governor Biodun Oyebanji and Mrs. Atinuke Omolayo, while Kayode Ojo and Abimbola Olawumi were disqualified.
Subsequently, the NWC confirmed Oyebanji as the party’s consensus candidate after Omolayo voluntarily withdrew from the race and endorsed him.
With the party uniting behind Oyebanji, APC leaders say they are confident of consolidating their dominance in Ekiti State and extending their winning streak in the South-West region.
