Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has emerged as the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial election. He was chosen through a consensus arrangement, with 885 delegates from the 16 local government areas of the state affirming his candidacy.

The adoption took place at the Ekiti State Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, with Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele moving the motion for Oyebanji’s nomination and incumbent Speaker of the Ekiti State Assembly Adeoye Aribasoye seconding it. This makes Oyebanji the first governor under the APC banner in the state to win the party’s candidature consecutively since the current democratic dispensation began.

According to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State, who chairs the Affirmation Congress Committee, the consensus arrangement was an in-house party decision aimed at allowing the APC government in Ekiti to continue its good work. He emphasized that the decision was not a product of imposition, but rather a collective effort to build on the party’s achievements in the state.

The National Chairman of the APC, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, had earlier inaugurated an 11-man Consensus Committee for the party’s primary election in the state. The committee, chaired by Governor Ododo, was tasked with conducting the affirmation of Oyebanji as the sole candidate of the party for the 2026 gubernatorial poll.

In his acceptance speech, Oyebanji thanked President Bola Tinubu, party leaders, and delegates for the honor. He pledged to work tirelessly to justify the confidence reposed in him and called on his opponents to join hands in lifting the state. Oyebanji also appealed for an end to character assassination, cyberbullying, and abuses on social media.

The development marks a significant milestone in the state’s political landscape, as Oyebanji prepares to seek re-election under the APC platform. With his adoption as the party’s candidate, the stage is set for the 2026 gubernatorial election in Ekiti State.