The All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded its senatorial primary elections in Ekiti State, producing the trio of Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Cyril Fasuyi and Senator Yemi Adaramodu as the party’s standard-bearers for Ekiti Central, Ekiti North and Ekiti South Senatorial Districts respectively ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The exercise, conducted across the three senatorial districts, drew significant participation from party delegates and stakeholders, with APC officials describing the primaries as peaceful, transparent and in line with the party’s electoral guidelines.

Announcing the results in Ado Ekiti, the chairman of the primary election committee and chief returning officer, Wasiu Adedoyin, declared Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele winner of the Ekiti Central senatorial primary. Bamidele, who contested unopposed, polled 29,586 votes, reaffirming his strong political influence within the district and consolidating his position ahead of the 2027 polls.

In the keenly contested Ekiti North primary, incumbent Senator Cyril Fasuyi emerged victorious after securing 14,179 votes. Fasuyi defeated former senator Ayo Arise, who garnered 4,868 votes, while Engr. Bamisaye Oladipupo polled 3,694 votes. Political observers described the contest as one of the most competitive races of the APC primaries in the state, reflecting the growing political interests within Ekiti North.

Similarly, in Ekiti South Senatorial District, Senator Yemi Adaramodu clinched the APC ticket after polling 12,200 votes to defeat former senator Biodun Olujimi, who secured 7,420 votes, and Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, who recorded 5,502 votes. The outcome further strengthens Adaramodu’s political standing within the district as he prepares to lead the APC into the next electoral cycle.

Speaking after the exercise, Wasiu Adedoyin commended APC members and delegates for their orderly conduct throughout the primaries, stressing that the process reflected the party’s commitment to internal democracy and credible candidate selection.

The conclusion of the senatorial primaries is expected to reshape political calculations across Ekiti State as the APC begins preparations for the 2027 general elections, with party leaders expressing confidence that the emergence of the three candidates would further strengthen the party’s chances at the polls.

Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has emerged as the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Ekiti Central ahead of the 2027 general election.

Bamidele’s emergence followed the release of the list of duly screened senatorial aspirants in Ekiti State by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Arugungu, on Sunday night. According to the list, the Senate Leader was cleared as the sole aspirant for the Ekiti Central Senatorial District, paving the way for his unopposed nomination.

The party also cleared several aspirants for the other senatorial districts in the state. For Ekiti South Senatorial District, those cleared include Adeyemi Adaramodu, former Senate Minority Leader Biodun Olujimi, and Bamidele Faparusi.

For Ekiti North Senatorial District, the cleared aspirants are Cyril Fasuyi, Ayo Arise, Mr. Oladipupo Bamisaye and Chief Oluwadare Owolabi.

With the latest development, Bamidele is set to fly the APC flag for Ekiti Central for the third consecutive time, following what party supporters described as widespread endorsement from constituents across the district.

The Senate Leader first secured the APC senatorial ticket in 2019 after a keenly contested primary election against the then incumbent senator, Mrs. Fatimat Raji-Rasaki. He later clinched the party’s nomination unopposed in 2023, a development attributed to his performance in the areas of legislation, representation and parliamentary oversight.

Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2026, over alleged security threats and fears of violence.

Daniel, who is seeking re-election to the Senate, has recently been involved in a political disagreement with Dapo Abiodun over the APC ticket for Ogun East ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu–Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Movement, the senator directed his supporters to stay away from the primary election, citing concerns over their safety.

The statement, jointly signed by BATOGD Director-General, General Olumuyiwa Okunowo (rtd), and 34 others, alleged that there had been suspicious movements and threats against Daniel’s loyalists in the build-up to the exercise.

According to the group, there were fears that violence could erupt during the primary election.

“In the last few days, we have seen all manners of strange movements and miscreants taking positions and ready to strike down our people. We have heard and seen agents of the state government threatening fire and brimstone against our supporters,” the statement said.

The group added that it would be irresponsible to expose supporters to danger and unrest.

“We have advised our Principal, Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to distance himself from the senatorial party primary elections. We also advise our supporters to stay away from the venues of the primary election for their own safety,” the statement added.

Speaking on the development, Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, confirmed that the former governor approved the decision to withdraw from the contest.

According to him, the safety of supporters remains more important than participating in the primary election.

“If the party is ready to conduct a free and fair election and can guarantee the safety of our members, then we are ready to participate,” Oliyide stated.