Her withdrawal leaves Governor Biodun Oyebanji as the sole contender for the party’s ticket ahead of the October 27 primary election.
By Titilope Adako
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has adopted the consensus option for its governorship primary in Ekiti State after Mrs Atinuke Omolayo, one of the two cleared aspirants, voluntarily withdrew from the race.
Her withdrawal leaves Governor Biodun Oyebanji as the sole contender for the party’s ticket ahead of the October 27 primary election.
In a statement on Tuesday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the National Working Committee approved the shift from the earlier direct primary to a consensus arrangement in line with the Electoral Act 2022 and the party’s constitution.
Morka explained, “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.”
According to the statement, the development has been officially communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through a letter dated October 13, 2025.
Morka added that the APC had fulfilled all statutory requirements under Sections 84(9) and (11) of the Electoral Act to adopt the consensus mode.
He also announced the party’s nomination timetable, with the Delegate Congress scheduled for Saturday, October 25, the Delegate Congress Appeal for Sunday, October 26, and the Special Nomination Congress for Monday, October 27, 2025, to ratify the consensus candidate.
Morka praised Omolayo for her “spirit of sportsmanship and commitment to party unity and progress,” urging all APC members and stakeholders in Ekiti to remain united and work towards victory in the July 20, 2026 governorship election.
He also recalled that another aspirant, Kayode Ojo, had earlier been disqualified by the party’s screening committee on October 9.
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