“You Can’t Dispute Process You Didn’t Witness” JB Ayeni Told
Critical stakeholders and leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti Local Government Area have debunked claims that the 2026 governorship primary election was not held in the LGA, affirming that Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi emerged through a duly conducted process.
The stakeholders made this known yesterday, 20th June 2026, during a press briefing at the Ekiti LGA Secretariat, Osi.
The briefing was attended by executive committee members of all 10 wards, LGA exco, and party leaders.
In delivering a statement on behalf of the stakeholders, Arch Tunji Ayodele addressed a recent declaration made by a group identified as the “APC Elders Caucus,” under the leadership of Chief James Bamisaiye Ayeni of Ikerin-Opin. This group had claimed that no primary election was conducted and that stakeholders were not consulted prior to Danladi’s selection as the APC governorship candidate.
The stakeholders presented documents and eyewitness accounts to establish that APC primaries were conducted in Ekiti LGA between 16th and 23rd May 2026, in line with party constitution and NWC guidelines.
On the governorship primary specifically, they said party members mobilized on 21st May, but the exercise was postponed by the state leadership to 22nd May 2026.
“On the rescheduled date, electoral officers supervised voting across all 10 wards in the presence of INEC officials and security operatives.
“Ward leaders present at the briefing attested to the process and said original result sheets from all wards are in their custody.
The stakeholders however faulted Chief Ayeni on the following grounds:
Inconsistency: They noted he had publicly advocated at the “Kwara for Kwara North Rally” in Ilorin that the next governor should come from Kwara North for equity. “It is contradictory to now dispute an outcome that produced Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, a son of Kwara North, as the candidate” they said.
Absence: According to party records and witness accounts, it has been asserted that Chief Ayeni was neither present in the Ekiti Local Government Area nor in his Opin Ward on the 22nd of May, the date on which the governorship primary was held. The group emphasized that statements made about a process one did not personally witness cannot accurately represent the facts.
Representation*l: They criticized his absence from Ikerin-Opin following a recent security incident in his hometown. “Leadership is strengthened by presence with the base, especially in difficult times. He has not visited the community to sympathize with victims, yet claims to speak for the people,” they said.
The stakeholders therefore resolved that:
- The governorship primary was duly held in all 10 wards on 22nd May 2026, in full compliance with party guidelines, under party electoral committees with INEC and security as observers.
- Results declared by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Committee, at Government House Ilorin, reflected Ekiti LGA votes. Danladi was declared winner with 94,990 votes, ahead of 14 other aspirants. Four aspirants, including Prof. Wale Sulaiman, Capt. Ahmad Ibrahim Mahmoud, and Hajia Musliat Yetunde Bello, witnessed the declaration.
- Chief James Bamisaiye Ayeni does not speak for APC Ekiti LGA. The party dissociates itself from any personal political activities by him that contradict the collective position of the party structure.
- No petition was submitted to the APC Election Appeal Committee by any aspirant regarding Ekiti LGA primaries within the stipulated timeframe.
They concluded by declaring total support for Danladi as APC governorship candidate for 2027 and reaffirming solidarity with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and State Chairman Prince Sunday Fagbemi for delivering 100 percent electoral success for APC since 2019.
The Ekiti Local Government party Chairman, Hon. Ayoola Ajibola said they put the programme together for the whole world to know the outcome of the APC governorship primary election in the local government.
Engr. Samuel Ogunmola also noted that those present at the press conference are the authentic elders and leader of Ekiti Local Government assuring that they shall deliver for Danladi 100 percent in 2027.
Engr. Ogunmola stated that regardless of one’s status, it is imperative to adhere to the established guidelines of the party, emphasizing that irrespective of the outcome, compliance is required, even if the result is not favorable to you.