•The protesting Ekiti women
Hundreds of women from Ekiti State today stormed the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, fiercely protesting the disqualification of one of the party’s governorship aspirants, Kayode Ojo, and the alleged imposition of a consensus candidate ahead of the primary election slated for October 27.
The women, under the banner of various support groups, denounced the action, describing Ojo’s disqualification as an act of political intimidation and injustice, reports Daily Independent.
Brandishing a range of 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,” the women chanted solidarity songs as they demanded the reversal of the decision.
It will be recalled that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC recently disqualified Ojo and Mrs. Abimbola Olawumi from participating in the upcoming primary election.
According to the party, their disqualification was based on alleged non-compliance with the party’s constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Subsequently, 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.
The party leadership 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.
However, the protesting women described the move as a deliberate ploy to silence popular candidates and deny Ekiti people the opportunity to freely choose their next governor.
Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved protesters, Ms. Abereniola Mercy condemned the disqualification of Ojo, saying Ekiti people were disenchanted with the current administration.
She declared “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.”
When asked what the protesters expected from the APC leadership, Mercy 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.
The demonstration caused a brief stir around the APC Secretariat as security operatives watched closely to prevent a breakdown of order, while the women vowed to sustain their protest until the party leadership rescinds what they termed an unfair political manoeuvre.
