Ekiti APC governorship primary: Oyebanji polls 101,703 votes to defeat Opeyemi, others

The former Secretary to Ekiti State government and the anointed candidate of governor Kayode Fayemi has been declared winner of Ekiti All Progressives Congress primary election which held on Thursday.

He polled 101,703 to defeat Senator Michael Bamidele Opeyemi who polled 760 votes and others.

The former Secretary to the State government,
Biodun Oyebanji is believed to be Ekiti State government’s candidate and other aspirants have raised issues that bothers on the lack of fairness and called for the cancellation of the election.

Apart from Senator Michael Bamidele Opeyemi, other close challengers, Mr Ojo Kayode polled 767, while Mr Dayo Adeyeye polled 691 votes.

CAPITAL POST earlier reported that seven aspirants in the Ekiti governorship race on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), called for postponement of the primary elections.

They contended that Ekiti State governor has positioned his aides, political appointees, including elected members of the State House of Assembly to serve as electoral umpires, a development that was against the provisions of the APC Constitution.

However, the call wasn’t heeded to, by the National Secretariat of the APC which eventually went ahead to conduct the primary elections.

Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru who is the Chairman of the Ekiti governorship primary election Committee, announced Mr Oyebanji, as winner.

Oyebanji, the standard-bearer in the Ekiti governorship race would be contesting with his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Mr Bisi Kolawole who won his primary election on Wednesday.

While Oyebanji is a seasoned administrator who has served in various capacities, including being Special Adviser on parliamentary affairs in the administration of Niyi Adebayo and lately Secretary to Ekiti State government, Mr Kolawole of PDP was a former member Ekiti State House of Assembly and the former State Chairman of Ekiti State PDP.

The governorhip election has been slated for 18th June, 2022 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).