The All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee for the Ekiti governorship election has cleared three aspirants, including incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji, to participate in the party’s primary election. The committee, chaired by Tunji Olawuyi, announced its decision after reviewing the nomination forms and expressions of interest submitted by four governorship aspirants.

According to the committee’s report, Oyebanji and Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo satisfied all constitutional and party requirements, making them eligible to contest in the primary election. Kayode Ojo, on the other hand, was granted provisional clearance, pending a final decision by the APC National Working Committee (NWC). The referral was made due to petitions against Ojo, alleging his failure to meet the mandatory threshold of five valid nominators per local government area.

The committee’s decision was influenced by Article 9(1) of the APC Constitution, which states that only registered and financially up-to-date members have the right to vote and be voted for. Abimbola Olajumoke Olawumi was disqualified due to a lack of evidence that she is a financially up-to-date member, as required by the party’s constitution.

The APC primary election is scheduled to take place next month, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed June 20, 2026, for the conduct of the Ekiti governorship poll. The screening committee’s decision is a crucial step in the electoral process, as it determines which aspirants will compete for the party’s ticket.

The APC’s governorship primary election is expected to be closely contested, with the winner likely to have a significant advantage in the subsequent governorship poll. The outcome of the primary election will also provide insight into the party’s internal dynamics and its chances of retaining the governorship seat in Ekiti State.

With the screening process complete, attention will now shift to the primary election, where the cleared aspirants will vie for the party’s nomination. The eventual winner will face opposition from other parties in the June 2026 governorship poll, making the upcoming elections in Ekiti State a highly anticipated event in Nigeria’s political calendar.