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Ekiti APC Governorship Primary to Hold in Wards, Not Abuja ~ Karounwi

...says Party Members to Decide through Direct Primaries, BAO’s Victory Inevitable

October 6, 2025

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Ekiti State will hold across the state’s 177 wards, not in Abuja and will be conducted through direct primaries, where every registered party member will have the chance to participate.

This clarification was made by former Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and prominent APC stalwart, Rt. Hon. Oladapo Karounwi, during a political program called Ṣ'óo mọ BAO, which aired on Voice FM, Ado Ekiti, on Monday.

Karounwi, regarded as one of the most grounded voices in Ekiti APC politics, explained that the party’s constitution provides for three methods of choosing candidates, namely, consensus, direct, and indirect primaries, but for the 2025 governorship election in Ekiti, direct primary will be adopted.

“All card-carrying members of the APC will queue behind their chosen aspirants in their wards. And from all indications, party members have already made their choice, to stand firmly behind Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

“It’s going to be a carnival-like atmosphere in Ekiti for Biodun Oyebanji on that day. Party members across the 177 wards are already prepared to file out in solidarity with the governor.

“Even if you’re not a registered APC member, you’ll still want to be at the venue to witness history, because the love for BAO cuts across party lines,” he said. 

Dismissing rumours that the primary election would be moved to Abuja, Karounwi said:

"An impotent man does not have children nearby. Only unserious people will want an exam to be held outside the school. The guideline is clear and unambiguous; it expressly states that the primary must be held in the wards and results are brought to Ado Ekiti for collation."

The APC chieftain expressed strong confidence that no aspirant could defeat Oyebanji in the coming primary, describing the governor as a household name across all wards and local governments in Ekiti.

“If not for due process and fulfilling all righteousness, there shouldn’t even be any campaign, because in truth, there’s no contest against Biodun Oyebanji,” he said.

Karounwi further disclosed that ratification delegates will be chosen on October 25, while the validated direct primary will hold on October 27, 2025, in line with the party’s timetable. He also noted that the APC leadership is determined to avoid fielding any aspirant with legal encumbrances or guideline violations.

Speaking on the governor’s commitment to party welfare, Karounwi revealed that Governor Oyebanji personally caters to the welfare of APC executives at all levels in the state.
 
“Governor Oyebanji pays all party Exco members from his own purse, from ward to state level. This is in line with best practice and lessons from the Coker Commission of Inquiry, which discouraged funding political activities with government money,” he noted.

During the phone-in segment of the programme, Olalekan from Oke’la advised that “there should be a solid plan to counter any plot to move the election to Abuja.”

Elder Falade from Ado Ekiti also expressed concern over opposition propaganda and rumours surrounding the primary.

Responding to both callers, Rt. Hon. Karounwi reaffirmed that the APC governorship primary election will hold in Ekiti, according to the party’s guidelines, and not in Abuja. He further assured that “all machinery is already in motion to dispel opposition propaganda and rumours,” adding that the exercise would be peaceful and well-coordinated across the state.

A caller from Kogi State promised continued solidarity, while Asiwaju Olawale from Awẹdele in Ado Ekiti, who identified himself as a non-APC member, described Governor Oyebanji as “a governor for all,” urging the ruling party not to tamper with the winning formula represented by BAO’s inclusive governance style.

All the callers commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s humility, accessibility, and developmental strides, praying for his success as the countdown to the APC primary begins.

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