Two governorship aspirants in Ekiti State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr. Kayode Ojo and Olajumoke Abimbola have expressed confidence in their chances of emerging as the party’s flagbearer in next year’s election despite petitions filed against them.
The duo, who faced the APC Governorship Primary Election Screening Committee in Abuja on Wednesday, dismissed the petitions as distractions, insisting that they remain the most credible choices to secure the party’s ticket ahead of the October 27, 2025, primary.
Ojo, a front contender in the race, accused Governor Biodun Oyebanji of instigating petitions against him in an attempt to edge him out of the contest.
“Governor Oyebanji is like a drowning man clutching onto anything within his imagination to emerge as the candidate of the party,” Ojo told journalists after his screening.
“They have submitted several petitions against me here, which I will officially respond to later today. But there’s no cause for alarm. They’re just raising dust where there’s no dust.”
The businessman-turned-politician insisted that he enjoys the support of the majority of APC stakeholders in the state and vowed to deliver victory for both the party and President Bola Tinubu in the 2026 governorship and 2027 presidential elections.
“How can I be involved in an anti-party? I’m a core party member,” Ojo declared, in response to allegations against him.
“We all know who has been doing anti-party. I am not the one who appointed over 170 card-carrying members of the opposition into government. I have been helping party members, employing them, and supporting their families. We want to defeat the governor on the field, not in the boardroom.”
While affirming his loyalty to the APC and to President Tinubu, Ojo said he would abide by whatever mode of primary the party adopts, but maintained that a consensus arrangement would favour him.
Read also: UI widens access to higher education for admission seekers nationwide
“Whichever mode the party decides, that’s what we will follow. If the party agrees on a consensus, I know I will be the consensus candidate,” he said.
Similarly, Abimbola described her screening as smooth and successful, adding that the issues raised by the committee were minor and would be addressed promptly.
“The questions were not challenging. They just asked the necessary things that needed to come up. Some of the things were minor, like my affidavit for change of name, which I didn’t know before. They advised me on what to do, and I will go ahead and ensure that I do so,” she said.
Abimbola said she trusted the integrity of the screening panel and expressed optimism that she would emerge as the party’s candidate, citing her competence and the possibility of presidential backing.
“As a female aspirant, I’m going to be the most competent. If the president decides that I should be the candidate of the party, nothing is going to change that. Every other person will sign for me,” she said.
While acknowledging reports of petitions against her, Abimbola insisted they posed no threat to her ambition.
“This morning when I came, I heard that somebody brought a petition, which I’ve not read or seen. Since I don’t know the content, I can’t say anything about it.
“But if I’m asked to step down, the only person who can influence my decision is the president. Maybe if he decides he has someone else he wants to use, I will be willing to step down,” she added.
Both aspirants pledged loyalty to the APC leadership and expressed faith that the party would conduct a credible exercise that would strengthen its chances of retaining power in Ekiti State.
The APC governorship primary is scheduled to hold on October 27, 2025.
