1. What Happened
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally endorsed Governor Biodun Oyebanji as its consensus candidate for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.
Initially, the APC had cleared two aspirants for the primary election — Governor Oyebanji and Mrs. Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo. However, Mrs. Omolayo later withdrew her candidacy and publicly endorsed Oyebanji, paving the way for a consensus arrangement within the party.
Following her withdrawal, the APC notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its decision to switch from a direct primary to a consensus primary, in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
A special nomination congress is scheduled to officially ratify Oyebanji’s candidacy and complete the party’s internal process.
2. Why This Matters
The APC’s endorsement of Oyebanji carries significant political implications:
- Incumbency Advantage: As the incumbent governor, Oyebanji now avoids a potentially divisive primary contest. This gives him and the APC more time to consolidate ahead of the general election.
- Party Unity: The consensus approach is being promoted as a step toward maintaining unity within the APC in Ekiti State, preventing intra-party conflicts that could weaken the party’s chances.
- Pre-Election Momentum: With the decision made months ahead of the 2026 election, the party can now focus on campaign strategy, voter outreach, and highlighting Oyebanji’s achievements in office.
- Regulatory Compliance: The APC’s adherence to due process by notifying INEC and aligning with the Electoral Act helps the party avoid possible legal challenges that often trail primaries in Nigerian politics.
3. Oyebanji’s Tenure and Support
The decision to adopt Oyebanji as a consensus candidate has been justified by party leaders and supporters as a recognition of his performance in office.
Supporters cite improvements in infrastructure, agricultural development, empowerment programmes, and security under his administration. They argue that his leadership has made the APC more attractive and stable in Ekiti.
Oyebanji himself has emphasized the importance of unity within the party, describing the consensus arrangement as a “family decision” that strengthens the APC ahead of the election.
4. Risks and Challenges
Despite the apparent unity, the consensus arrangement is not without potential drawbacks:
- Perception of Fairness: Some party members and aspirants might view the consensus model as undemocratic or exclusionary, particularly those who were screened out of the primary process.
- Complacency: Without an internal contest, there is a risk of complacency among party members, which could weaken mobilisation efforts.
- Opposition Strategy: Rival parties are expected to exploit any discontent within the APC, using it to attract aggrieved members or voters.
- Raised Expectations: As the consensus candidate, Oyebanji now carries the full weight of the party’s expectations. Any shortcomings in governance could become campaign vulnerabilities.
5. The Road to 2026
The APC will now move toward formally ratifying Oyebanji’s nomination at a special congress. Once confirmed, attention will shift from internal arrangements to campaign planning and voter engagement across the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State.
Observers will be watching closely to see:
- How the APC manages and reconciles aspirants who were disqualified or stepped down.
- The kind of campaign message the Oyebanji administration will promote to justify continuity.
- How opposition parties — particularly the PDP and SDP — structure their strategies to challenge the ruling party.
The general election is expected to take place in June 2026, making the months ahead crucial for political positioning and voter outreach.
6. Conclusion
The APC’s decision to affirm Governor Biodun Oyebanji as its consensus candidate for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election signals a strategic choice aimed at preserving unity and leveraging incumbency.
For Oyebanji, the endorsement is both an advantage and a responsibility — it offers him a clear path to the ballot but also increases pressure to deliver results and maintain goodwill across the state.
As Ekiti moves toward 2026, the success or failure of this consensus strategy will depend on how well the APC manages internal harmony, sustains its grassroots appeal, and convinces voters that continuity is in their best interest.
Woul
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