Ekiti ADC primary election set for November 6, with chairman Ilesanmi Omolayo assuring members of a transparent, secure, and credible process.
Ekiti ADC primary election will be conducted in a transparent, free, and fair manner, according to the party’s state chairman, Ilesanmi Omolayo.
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He gave the assurance on Sunday while outlining the African Democratic Congress’ readiness for the November 6 governorship primary ahead of the June 2026 poll.
Omolayo confirmed that the exercise would adopt the direct mode of voting across all 177 wards in Ekiti State.
He also urged security agencies to provide adequate protection for members and polling venues to prevent a recurrence of the October 21 attack on the ADC secretariat in Ado Ekiti, which left several members injured and property destroyed.
“Five aspirants obtained the Ekiti ADC nomination form, and all are preparing for the primary election,” Omolayo said in a telephone interview. “Screening for the aspirants will hold on November 3, while the primary is fixed for November 6.”
The five aspirants include former deputy governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka; former High Commissioner to Canada, Dare Bejide; philanthropist and businessman, Apostle David Adesua; ICT expert, Emmanuel Oluwayose; and legal practitioner, Femi Adegbite.
According to Omolayo, the State Working Committee had reviewed its preparations and reaffirmed its commitment to fairness and inclusivity. “We have no preferred candidate,” he said.
“All five aspirants are competent and capable, and they have agreed to support whoever emerges as the party’s flagbearer. In the ADC, we operate as one family and are confident there will be no post-primary crisis.”
He described the upcoming Ekiti ADC primary election as an opportunity to showcase internal democracy, expressing optimism that the exercise would be peaceful and credible.
“We have formally notified the security agencies over a week in advance. We are confident they will ensure adequate protection and prevent a repeat of the October 21 incident,” he added.
Omolayo said the ADC’s inclusive posture had continued to attract fresh faces and renewed public confidence in the party’s mission.
“Having five aspirants in a relatively new coalition like ours shows that the ADC remains open to all,” he stated. “We are promising a transparent process that will serve as a model for other parties.”
After the October attack, the ADC restated its resolve to contest and win the 2026 governorship election in the state, insisting that attempts to intimidate the party would fail.
“They wanted to scare us because of our growing popularity and wide acceptance,” Omolayo said at the time. “The security agencies have a lot to do to ensure our safety.”
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With preparations now in full swing, the Ekiti ADC primary election is shaping up to be a key test of the party’s internal strength and credibility ahead of the 2026 race.
