The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified a popular aspirant, Engr. Kayode Ojo, from contesting in the 2026 governorship primary in Ekiti State.
This decision was reached during the 179th meeting of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.
The screening committee had earlier removed Hon. Olajumoke Olawunmi from the race, leaving only two aspirants — the incumbent governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, and Mrs. Omolayo Oluremi — to battle for the ticket in the October 27 primary.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Duro Meseko, said the disqualified aspirants failed to meet the constitutional and electoral requirements.
According to Meseko, “The NWC at its 179th meeting also deliberated on the screening report of APC governorship elections. At the end of the meeting, the NWC cleared the incumbent Governor Abiodun Oyebanji and Mrs. Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo to stand for the primary elections, while the two other aspirants, Engineer Kayode Ojo and Mrs. Abimbola Olajumoke Olawunmi were disqualified. The disqualification of these two people were predicated on the fact that they did not conform with the provisions of the constitution of the party and also the extant provisions of the electoral act.”
In the same meeting, the NWC announced the dissolution of the State Executive Committee in Enugu State, citing internal wrangling within the party. Meseko explained that the decision was made “in the interest of progress, peace, and stability of the APC in Enugu State.”
A new caretaker committee has been inaugurated, with Dr. Ben Nwoye named as Chairman and Right Hon. Eugene Odo as Secretary. Other members include Mrs. Fidelia Njoeze, Comrade Peter Chime, Dr. (Mrs.) Obi Aji, Dr. Chidozie Nwafo, and Engineer Iman Eke.
Although the APC did not give further details, reports suggest that the move may be connected to the expected defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mba, to the ruling party next week.
Meseko added that the NWC’s latest resolutions were part of a broader effort to strengthen party unity and ensure discipline ahead of crucial elections.
