Ekiti 2026: APC inaugurates screening committees for guber aspirants

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday inaugurated two committees to screen aspirants ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for July 2026.

The twelve-member committees, comprising a seven-man screening panel and a five-man appeals panel, are tasked with scrutinising four aspirants, including the incumbent governor, who submitted their nomination forms before the deadline.

The screening committee is chaired by Hon. Abdulraheem Tunji Olawuyi, Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on North Central Development Commission. The appeals committee is headed by Hon. Surajudeen Adekunle.

Other members of the screening committee include Comrade Nasir Kawu, Ramatu A.T. Faru, Alhaji Sulaiman Taminu, Engr. Shehu Umar Dange, Barr. Smart Umeazor and Barr. Oghebovo Otemu.

Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, inaugurated the two committees on behalf of APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Speaking after the inauguration, Hon. Olawuyi said the committees’ mandate is to ensure due diligence and credibility in the selection process.

“Our assignment is very simple: to verify and check all documents submitted by the aspirants to ensure our party presents a credible candidate for the election,” he said. “We don’t want any surprises when our candidate eventually goes before INEC. The party must not be embarrassed.”

He explained that screening would begin Tuesday due to a clash with the ongoing national public hearing on constitutional review. “We will take two aspirants tomorrow and the remaining two the following day,” he added.

Aspirants expected to face the committee include Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, Hon. Abimbola Olajumoke Olawuunmi, Engr. Ojo Olubunmi Kayode and Hon. Omolayo Oluremi.