William Kayode
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially endorsed the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, as its consensus candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial election in the state.
The endorsement took place on Monday in Ado-Ekiti during a meeting of party stakeholders, where a motion to affirm Oyebanji’s candidature was moved by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and seconded by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Stephen Aribasoye.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Affirmation Congress Committee, Ahmed Ododo, said the decision reflected the party’s satisfaction with Oyebanji’s performance and the significant progress made under his administration. He described the governor as a leader whose achievements have transformed various sectors of the state’s economy and improved the lives of citizens.
Ododo commended the unity and discipline within the Ekiti APC, noting that the overwhelming support for Oyebanji demonstrated the people’s confidence in his leadership. According to him, “The affirmation of Governor Oyebanji is not only a vote of confidence but also an expression of faith in his vision for sustained development and stability in Ekiti State.”
Governor Oyebanji, who emerged as the party’s flag bearer through a consensus arrangement, is expected to seek a second term in office. His tenure has been marked by investments in infrastructure, education, youth empowerment, and rural development—initiatives that have earned him wide recognition across the state.
Party leaders at the event described the consensus decision as a strategic step toward consolidating APC’s dominance in Ekiti politics and ensuring continuity in governance.
The governor’s endorsement sets the tone for what is expected to be a largely one-sided contest in 2026, with many political observers predicting that the APC will retain control of the state given the party’s internal cohesion and Oyebanji’s growing popularity among the electorate.