By Precious Owolabi, Ado-Ekiti
The consensus for the emergence of the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2026 election, on Saturday gathered more traction, as the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye and high profile politicians in Ikere Local Government stoutly justified the party’s decision.
Mrs Afuye and other leaders of the party commended the decision ratified by the Prof Nentawe Yilwatda-led APC National Working Committee, saying it will ensure cohesion and ward off internal squabbles in the party ahead of the forthcoming poll.
Mrs Afuye and APC leaders gave their justification at Atiba/ Aafin Ward, Ikere Ekiti, on Saturday, after the Ward Congress conducted to elect delegates that will ratify Governor Oyebanji as the sole candidate at the APC primary on Monday, October 27, 2025.
Other APC bigwigs who spoke at the ward Congress include ex-Ikere Local Government Chairman, Engr Gbenga Omole , Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Barr Niyi Idowu, House Leader, Ikere Council Area, Hon Seun Oloko, and a party topnotch, Hon. Adewale Afuye.
Addressing the APC members, Mrs Afuye, in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, appealed to party loyalists, not to label those opposed to consensus as enemies of the party or fifth columnists, saying they should be accommodated within the party.
Rationalizing the party’s position, Mrs Afuye averred that APC, is a party being governed by constitution and the decision to allow consensus arrangement doesn’t vitiate the law in any form.
“APC is a party being governed by constitution and its decision was not to favour anybody. There are set rules governing who becomes a candidate and whoever breaches any of them may face some consequences.
“The party didn’t impose Governor Oyebanji on us, he only fulfilled all the set criteria among the aspirants. I plead with you, let us accommodate ourselves. We are members of APC. Nobody should be seen as an enemy.
“Even our governor merits this through his actions. He has performed very well in three years. Look at how he accommodates opposition . He doesn’t hate people. This is the spirit that must guide all our members”, she said.
The House of Assembly member representing Ikere Constituency II, Hon Tunde Idowu, disclosed that Ekiti having Governor Oyebanji as the leader at this auspicious time and Mrs Afuye as the number two citizen, has been a tremendous blessing to Ikere Ekiti.
Hon Idowu urged APC members to rally round the two leaders by shunning the entreaties of those who are trying to stoke the ember of discord and acrimony in APC just because of primary.
“Ekiti having Mrs Afuye as the number two citizen has been a blessing to us. Look at the number of projects done by Biodun Oyebanji’s administration in Ikere Ekiti alone. The Ikere-Ilawe road, Ikere-Igbara Odo road, Ikere-Ado dual carriage way, Ikere-Ise road, Moshood Road. Even the Ikere-Ijare road is in the pipeline and many others.
“Let me tell Ikere people that some of these ongoing projects can only be completed if we vote massively for Governor Oyebanji in 2026. I am very confident that we will even get more projects if he is re-elected”.
Another APC bigwig in the council, Mr Bimbo Ogundipe, advised party members to canvass vigorously and record outstanding votes that can be deployed as a bargaining chip for governorship seat in 2030.
“When you support Governor Oyebanji and give him votes Ikere has never recorded before in the June 20, 2026 election, then we can use this to bargain for governorship in 2030. This is the bigger picture I want you to look at the coming election.
“I beg you, don’t join opposition to destroy what is good for Ekiti people. Governor Oyebanji is serving us well, he deserves our support”, Ogundipe said