The Chairman of Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Amb. Prince Michael Ogungbemi, has commended the emergence of Governor Biodun Oyebanji as the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the upcoming June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.
Ogungbemi described Oyebanji’s sole candidacy as a unifying force, saying it would prevent centrifugal forces from threatening party cohesion and would promote solidarity and fraternity among members as the state heads toward the polls.
He made these remarks in Ayedun Ekiti on Wednesday, following the official withdrawal of another aspirant, Mrs. Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo, from the race — a move he applauded as “sportsmanlike” and essential for the party’s consolidation.
“There is no sacrifice that is too much to make for the APC to remain solid and for Ekiti to progress under Governor Oyebanji’s purposeful leadership,” Ogungbemi stated.
He expressed confidence that the APC would secure a landslide victory in the election, asserting that the main opposition parties — the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — were no match for the APC’s robust structure and Oyebanji’s grassroots popularity.
Describing the Oyebanji administration as one that has “performed creditably well,” Ogungbemi said the consensus candidacy is evidence of divine favour and political maturity.
On Kayode Ojo’s Disqualification: “Party Discipline Must Prevail”
In the same vein, Ogungbemi addressed the controversy surrounding the disqualification of APC governorship aspirant Engr. Kayode Ojo, dismissing claims that it was a vendetta or manipulation to favour the governor.
According to him, the disqualification was strictly a disciplinary and constitutional issue, rooted in acts of gross indiscipline, flagrant constitutional breaches, and alleged fraudulent conduct by Ojo and his supporters.
“The doctrine of party supremacy is at play here. Electoral contests begin with party discipline,” Ogungbemi said.
He noted that Ojo’s camp had routinely undermined the APC-led government in Ekiti, going as far as publicly attacking the policies and programmes of Governor Oyebanji — a position he described as illogical for someone seeking the party’s ticket.
Furthermore, Ogungbemi highlighted serious procedural irregularities in Ojo’s nomination process, alleging that the aspirant failed to meet the requirement of securing five legitimate party member endorsements from each of the state’s 177 wards — and instead resorted to manipulation and the use of fictitious names.
“This kind of breach cannot be tolerated by any serious-minded political party that wants to win elections and retain public trust,” he stated.
Ogungbemi concluded by affirming his support for the National Working Committee (NWC)’s decision, describing it as “fair, justifiable, and necessary”, while urging all APC members to unite and begin vigorous grassroots mobilisation for the 2026 election.
“The coast is now clear for APC’s victory. Governor Oyebanji’s second term ambition is no longer a dream — it’s fast becoming a fait accompli,” he affirmed.