Why Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji Should Be the All Progressives Congress (APC) Consensus Candidate in Ekiti
In light of recent developments within the APC in Ekiti State, there are compelling reasons why the party’s decision to adopt Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) as its consensus candidate for the upcoming governorship election is both strategic and meaningful.
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1. Proven Performance in Office
Oyebanji’s tenure as Governor has been marked by visible infrastructural development, improvements in agriculture, and enhanced security. His administration has, according to several commentators, “left the state better than it found it”.
By positioning him as the consensus candidate, the APC aligns itself with continuity of what many perceive as effective governance.
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2. Unity and Avoidance of Internal Friction
The switch by the APC from a direct primary election to a consensus mode for the Ekiti governorship nomination was triggered by the voluntary withdrawal of the only other cleared aspirant, Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo, who endorsed Oyebanji.
This move helps the party avoid intra-party clashes, conserving resources and maintaining coherence ahead of the general election.
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3. Legal and Procedural Compliance
The APC formally communicated its change of mode to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing Sections 84(9) and (11) of the Electoral Act 2022. This gives the decision constitutional legitimacy and provides a transparent basis for the consensus arrangement.
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4. Strategic Positioning for the 2026 Election
With the consensus contending and unified platform in place, the APC in Ekiti is better poised to mobilize its base and maximize its electoral chances in the July 20, 2026 election. A divided primary could weaken momentum; a unity-based entry strengthens the appeal.
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5. Reinforcing the Message of Continuity and Stability
Electorates often respond favourably to candidates who present themselves as carriers of an ongoing positive trajectory rather than radical change for its own sake. Oyebanji’s incumbency and his claim of building upon earlier foundations allow him to present a message of stable progress.
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Summary
In essence, selecting Oyebanji as the APC consensus candidate is defensible on multiple fronts: performance credibility, party unity, legal propriety, electoral strategy, and messaging effectiveness. For the APC in Ekiti, it appears to be a calculated decision aimed at consolidating its position going into the next election cycle.
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