Hundreds of women from Ekiti have rejected the disqualification of one of the All Progressives Congress’s governorship aspirants, Kayode Ojo, and the alleged imposition of a consensus candidate ahead of the primary election billed for October 27.
The women, who protested to the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, on Friday, rejected the action, describing Ojo’s disqualification as an act of political intimidation and injustice.
The women displayed placards with bold inscriptions such as “We Reject BAO,” “Eko Must Not Be Disqualified,” “Eko’s Disqualification is Political Harassment,” “Ekiti Women Reject BAO,” “No to Consensus,” “We Want Governorship Primary,” “APC Must Allow Eko for Primary,” “Let the People Decide,” and “Engr. Kayode Ojo (EKO) is Eligible to Contest,” and demanded the reversal of the decision.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC recently disqualified Ojo and Mrs. Abimbola Olawumi from participating in the upcoming primary election.
Their disqualification, according to the party, was based on alleged non-compliance with the party’s constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.
In a letter dated October 13, 2025, and jointly signed by the National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, the party officially notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its decision to switch the mode of the governorship primary from direct voting to consensus selection.
It explained that the choice of the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, as the consensus candidate, followed the voluntary withdrawal of another aspirant, Mrs. Oluremi Omolayo, from the race.
Protesting, the women described the move as a deliberate ploy to silence popular candidates and deny Ekiti people the opportunity to freely choose their next governor.
Ms. Abereniola Mercy, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, condemned the disqualification of Ojo, saying Ekiti people were disenchanted with the current administration.
She said: “We want Kayode Ojo as our next governor in Ekiti State. And the people of Ekiti State are ready for him. They are ready to work for him.
“The reason why we are here today is to let the party know what we are passing through in Ekiti State. We want Kayode Ojo to be our next governor in 2026 because he’s a man of honesty. People are ready for him, people love him.
“We don’t want any consensus in Ekiti State. We want to go for primary because people are ready for him (Ojo). So we don’t want any consensus.”
Asked what the protesters expected from the APC leadership, she maintained that their demand was simple and democratic — a transparent and competitive primary election.
“What we want this party to do, especially our leaders at the national level, is that we want Kayode Ojo to be our next governor, and we don’t want any consensus. We want a primary election,” she insisted.