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Oyebanji Clinches APC Ticket for Second Term in Ekiti via Consensus

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Governor Biodun Oyebanji has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2026 Ekiti State election following a consensus affirmation exercise held on Monday at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti.

The event, which attracted 885 delegates from the 16 local government areas of the state, saw Oyebanji unanimously endorsed to fly the party’s flag for a second term.

The special nomination congress was supervised by a 10-member committee chaired by Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, with Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, serving as deputy chairman, and Hon. Taiwo Sunmonu as secretary.

Ododo, while declaring Oyebanji as the validly nominated candidate, said the process followed all legal and party guidelines. The exercise came after the voluntary withdrawal of the only other cleared aspirant, Mrs. Atinuke Omolayo.

During the session, Senate Leader and APC stalwart, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, moved the motion for Oyebanji’s ratification as the consensus candidate, citing Section 84(9) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

“I, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, hereby move that this Ekiti Special Nomination Congress ratify the nomination of His Excellency, Biodun Oyebanji, as the consensus gubernatorial candidate of the APC. I so move,” Bamidele declared.

The motion was seconded by Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Stephen, who described the exercise as a historic milestone for the party and the state.

In an emotional moment, Oyebanji and his wife burst into a song of worship, dedicating the victory to God. He later expressed deep gratitude to the delegates, the committee, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their roles in the process.

“I am honoured and appreciative of this rare privilege being given to me for the second time,” Oyebanji said in his acceptance speech. “This is a historic moment in our political journey — a testament to unity, maturity, and stability within our party.”

He lauded the peaceful conduct of the congress and commended party stakeholders for their show of solidarity and commitment to internal harmony.

“All our leaders are united and ready to work together. Those who had shown interest have accepted the party’s decision in good faith. This gesture of unity will further strengthen our stability as a party and as a state,” he added.

Oyebanji also extended appreciation to President Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee led by Professor Nentawe Yilwatda for their guidance and support throughout the process.

The governor pledged to consolidate on his administration’s achievements and deliver more dividends of democracy to Ekiti people if re-elected.

Security was tight around the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, with operatives of the Police, DSS, and NSCDC deployed to strategic points to ensure a hitch-free exercise. Vehicular movement was restricted around the venue, with checkpoints mounted along major routes.

Earlier, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, had announced the party’s decision to adopt the consensus mode of primaries, following the withdrawal of Mrs. Omolayo, noting that the arrangement was approved by the National Working Committee in line with party rules and the Electoral Act.

With his confirmation, Oyebanji now stands as the APC flagbearer for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election — a race expected to test the strength of the ruling party’s unity and the governor’s performance record.

 

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Ododo, Okpebholo Rally Kogi, Edo Indigenes in Osun Behind APC Candidate

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Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA and his Edo State counterpart Gov. Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday led a massive mobilisation of Kogi indigenes and other non-indigenes resident in Osun State in support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

Speaking at the rally, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo urged Kogi indigenes and other non-indigenes resident in Osun State to reciprocate the developmental strides of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, by voting overwhelmingly for the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), in the August 15 election. He maintained that governance should be judged by tangible achievements rather than rhetoric, insisting that the APC had earned the people’s trust through visible projects and people-oriented policies. “Governance is not by propaganda; governance is a serious business. Our campaign is issue-based. Tell us what your party has done for the people, and we will tell you what the APC has done,” he declared.

Governor Ododo highlighted several landmark interventions of the Tinubu administration in Kogi State, including the approval of the Kogi International Airport, the establishment of a Special Agro-Processing Zone and a Free Trade Zone, the rehabilitation of critical federal roads, improved security support, and increased resources for sub-national development. He described the President as a leader committed to equitable development across the country and called on the electorate not to succumb to intimidation or political deception. “Don’t be intimidated. On August 15, go out, cast your vote for the APC, let your vote count, and show Mr. President our appreciation for his unwavering support to our people,” Governor Ododo charged.

Addressing the Large Crowd of Igala Community in Oshogbo at the rally, the North Central Representative on the TETFund Board of Trustees, Dr. Ocholi Hassan Abdulrahman, passionately called on all Igala sons and daughters resident in Osun State to deliver overwhelming votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, in the August 15 gubernatorial election.

Dr. Ocholi described himself as a living beneficiary of the purposeful leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, noting that his appointment to the TETFund Board was a testament to the President’s inclusive style of governance and commitment to rewarding competence across the country.

He stressed that the Igala Kingdom has recorded significant gains under the APC-led Federal Government and urged the community to reciprocate the goodwill by voting massively for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 Presidential Election and all APC candidates. According to him, supporting Oyebamiji and Bola Tinubu is not only a vote for continuity and progressive governance but also a demonstration of gratitude for the numerous opportunities and benefits the current administration has extended to the Igala people.

The event was attended by the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and other top APC leaders, who reaffirmed the party’s determination to secure victory at the polls.

The rally attracted a massive turnout of APC faithful, Kogi indigenes, market women, youth groups and other non-indigene communities, all of whom declared their readiness to deliver overwhelming votes for Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji in the August 15 governorship election.

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NDC Youths Endorse Former ESUT Pro-Chancellor, Ohaa, for Enugu 2027 Guber Race

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Youth Wing in Enugu State has unanimously endorsed the party’s governorship candidate, Mr Chinyeaka Ohaa, for the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was made during the maiden executive meeting of the NDC Youth Wing held in Enugu on Saturday.

Speaking at the meeting, the State Youth Coordinator, Mr Jideofor Ude, described Ohaa as an “astute public servant” who had served in various capacities in the state and the country.

According to him, Chief Chinyeaka Ohaa served as Accountant General of Enugu State, FCT Permanent Secretary and Pro-Chancellor,  Enugu State University of Science and Technology among other positions.

He called on members to unite behind all candidates fielded by the party, with particular emphasis on Ohaa’s governorship bid.

The meeting was attended by the NDC State Chairman, Mr Ibuchukwu Obetta, and the 17 Local Government Coordinators of the Youth Wing.

Ude expressed appreciation to Obetta for what he described as his strategic leadership and commitment to the growth of the party in the state.

Ude assured the chairman of the youth wing’s commitment to working with the party leadership to advance its objectives and strengthen its grassroots structures across the state.

Outlining the youth’s plans for the election cycle, the coordinator said that activities would commence in earnest in line with the timetable to be released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ude urged all NDC candidates in the state to collaborate with the Youth Wing in driving grassroots mobilisation and youth participation in the electoral process.

The youth coordinator charged the 17 Local Government Coordinators to be proactive in implementing party programmes at the grassroots to ensure effective youth representation.

Ude further encouraged members to submit ideas and policy contributions ahead of the forthcoming NDC Youth Leadership Summit, where the Youth Wing was expected to unveil key programmes and initiatives for the 2027 elections.

In his remarks, the state chairman, Obetta, commended the youth wing for its dedication and proactive approach to party affairs, pledging continued support for its activities and growth.

He also addressed the ongoing leadership dispute within the state chapter, saying he was pursuing all legal avenues to resolve the matter.

Obetta maintained that he remained the duly recognised State Chairman by the NDC national body and urged members of the youth wing to remain focused and avoid distractions as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.

The meeting also featured the presentation of appointment letters to the Local Government Coordinators.

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Ex-Tinubu Aide Denies Breaching APC Primary Rules, Says He Resigned Before Contest

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Former Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on National Assembly Matters, Ibrahim Olarewaju, has denied allegations that he failed to resign his appointment before contesting the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Ekiti North Federal Constituency II seat.

 

 

 

Olarewaju, who won the party’s primary in May, said he resigned from his position effective March 31, 2026, in compliance with the directive issued to political appointees seeking elective offices.

 

 

 

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti by his media office and signed by Moses Owoyemi.

 

 

 

The statement described reports alleging that the former presidential aide breached constitutional and party regulations by participating in the primary election without resigning as “false, misleading and unsupported by facts.”

 

 

 

According to the statement, Olarewaju fully complied with all constitutional, legal and party requirements before contesting the primary election.

 

 

“His resignation as SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters took effect on March 31, 2026, in compliance with the directive issued to political appointees seeking elective office. It is incorrect and misleading to suggest that Olarewaju’s participation in the primary election violated any provision of the law. Allegations, no matter how loudly repeated, do not amount to evidence,” the statement said.

 

 

The media office added that the resignation was a matter of public record and could be independently verified through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and published media reports.

 

 

It also dismissed claims that Olarewaju circumvented due process, describing him as a public servant whose career has been marked by integrity, transparency and strict adherence to the law.

 

 

The statement attributed his victory at the APC primary to years of grassroots mobilisation, accessibility and commitment to the people, saying the exercise was conducted transparently and in line with the party’s guidelines.

 

 

It said accredited delegates from Moba, Ilejemeje and Ido-Osi Local Government Areas freely elected Olarewaju as the party’s candidate and commended party leaders, delegates and members for conducting themselves peacefully during the exercise.

 

 

The media office also applauded other aspirants for accepting the outcome of the primary in the interest of party unity.

 

 

It said Olarewaju remained committed to fostering unity within the APC and mobilising support ahead of the 2027 general election, urging members of the public to disregard claims not backed by verifiable evidence.

 

 

 

While acknowledging that post-election grievances were common in politics, the statement advised aggrieved aspirants and their supporters to seek redress through the APC’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms or appropriate legal channels rather than the media

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