…Oyebanji, Omolayo Cleared for Ekiti Primaries as Party Moves to Quell Factional Fires Nationwide
By Joy Odor, Abuja
In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the ruling party, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified frontline Ekiti governorship aspirant, Engr. Kayode Ojo, while dissolving the entire Enugu State Executive Committee over persistent factional crises and internal disunity.
The twin decisions, announced after the party’s 179th NWC meeting held Thursday at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, mark one of the boldest disciplinary crackdowns by the ruling party in recent times.
Addressing journalists, Hon. Duro Simi Meseko, Deputy National Publicity Secretary, flanked by the party’s National Leader for Persons With Disabilities, Aare Durotolu Oyebode Bankole, said the move was necessary “to restore order, discipline, and stability” in the APC ahead of key governorship contests.
“The disqualification of the two aspirants was predicated on the fact that their filings did not conform with the APC Constitution and the Electoral Act,” Meseko stated. “The NWC deliberated extensively on the screening report and reached this decision in the interest of due process and fairness.”
Following the NWC’s review of the screening panel report, only Governor Biodun Oyebanji and Mrs. Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo were cleared to contest the October 27 governorship primary. Ojo and Mrs. Abimbola Olajumoke Olawumi were axed from the race for failing to meet constitutional and legal prerequisites.
Ojo, who also serves as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), had earlier been provisionally cleared pending the NWC’s verdict after petitions accused him of irregularities in his nomination process, including failure to secure the required number of valid nominators as stipulated by Article 9(1) of the APC Constitution and Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution.
The disqualification effectively ends Ojo’s bid for the Ekiti APC ticket, consolidating Oyebanji’s position as the frontrunner for a second term under a less-contested field.
In another sweeping move, the NWC dissolved the Enugu State Working Committee, citing “prolonged factionalisation” that has crippled party operations in the state.
Meseko clarified that the decision was not politically motivated nor linked to speculations surrounding the possible defection of the Enugu State Governor to the APC.
“The Enugu chapter has unfortunately been mired in deep internal divisions. Despite multiple reconciliation efforts, the situation worsened.
The NWC therefore resolved to dissolve the executive and constitute a caretaker committee to reposition the party,” Meseko said.
A seven-member caretaker committee has been appointed, led by Dr. Ben Nwoye (Chairman) and Rt. Hon. Eugene Odo (Secretary), with Mrs. Fidelia Njoeze, Comrade Peter Chime, Dr. (Mrs.) Obi Aji, Dr. Chidozie Nwafo, and Engr. Iman Eke as a member.
The committee will be inaugurated Friday, October 10, 2025, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Meseko also revealed that the Bisi Akande-led National Reconciliation Committee will soon be inaugurated, while the Constitution Amendment Committee will begin public hearings across the geopolitical zones later this month.
He further disclosed that preparations are underway for the forthcoming Anambra and Osun governorship elections, with the sale of nomination forms for Osun set to commence on October 20.
Reaffirming the APC’s commitment to fairness and internal democracy, the Meseko declared that all NWC resolutions were taken “in strict adherence to the party’s constitution and in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda for inclusive governance.”
With these decisive actions, the APC’s leadership appears intent on tightening internal discipline, even if it means sacrificing political heavyweights to project a renewed image of unity and control ahead of the 2025 election cycle
