Governor Biodun Oyebanji has been unanimously chosen as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the forthcoming election by 885 elected delegates in Ekiti State.
The special nomination congress, which took place on Monday at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, was conducted peacefully under the supervision of Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, who chaired the congress committee.
Proceedings began in the morning, with Governor Oyebanji arriving around 10:40 a.m. to a warm reception from party members and delegates.
In his address, Governor Ododo stressed that the APC was fully committed to following all legal and procedural steps in validating Oyebanji’s emergence as the consensus candidate.
During the event, Mrs Atinuke Omolayo formally withdrew from the contest. Following her withdrawal, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion for Oyebanji’s affirmation, which was seconded by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye.
When the motion was put to a voice vote, delegates unanimously approved Oyebanji’s candidacy with a loud “yes.” Ododo noted that Ekiti was the first state to conduct such a special nomination congress.
Ahead of the exercise, two aspirants were disqualified for violating party guidelines, while another voluntarily stepped down in support of the governor.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Oyebanji expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support and encouragement. He described the outcome as a true reflection of the collective will of APC members in the state and pledged to lead the party to victory.
Celebrating the moment, Oyebanji, who becomes the first consensus candidate of a ruling party in Ekiti, called on disqualified aspirant Kayode Ojo and other stakeholders to work together for the state’s continued progress.