Olushola Omogbehin
In line with the 2026 off-cycle governorship election slated for Saturday, 20th June 2026, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced its decision to adopt the consensus option to select its governorship candidate for the October 27 primary election in Ekiti State.
The announcement was made in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, following the voluntary withdrawal of Hon. Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo from the race.
He said the party’s National Working Committee approved the change from the earlier direct primary to a consensus arrangement in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the party’s constitution.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mrs Omolayo conveyed her decision to withdraw from the contest and endorse Governor Biodun Oyebanji as a consensus candidate in a letter to the party’s leadership.
“The All Progressives Congress announces its decision to now adopt the consensus mode for the conduct of its governorship primary election in Ekiti State.
“The change from the earlier indicated direct primary to consensus mode was necessitated by the voluntary withdrawal of one of the two cleared aspirants, Mrs. Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo.
“In a letter to the party, Mrs. Omolayo conveyed her decision to withdraw from the contest and endorse His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, as a consensus candidate. She also expressed her support for any arrangement adopted by the party in nominating its flag bearer in accordance with the law.”
Commending Omolayo and describing her action as “spirit of sportsmanship and commitment to party unity and progress,” he urged all APC leaders, members, and stakeholders in the state to be united and work for the party’s victory in the July 20, 2026 governorship election.
Meanwhile, APC had approved the timetable for nomination activities with delegate congress on Saturday, October 25, 2025 and delegate congress appeal on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
A Special Nomination Congress will then hold on Monday, October 27, 2025, to officially ratify the consensus candidate.
He appealed to all leaders, stakeholders and members of the party in the state to stand united and work for the victory of the party in the June 2026 Governorship Election.
