APC National Convention: Oyebanji Pledges Transparent Screening for Aspirants

Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the Aspirants Screening Committee for the 2026 APC National Convention, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has assured aspirants vying for national positions that the screening process will be conducted with utmost fairness, transparency, and justice.

Governor Oyebanji spoke shortly after inaugurating the screening committee and holding its maiden meeting at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, stressing that the exercise would strictly follow party guidelines.

He noted that all aspirants are bona fide members of the APC and deserve a level playing field throughout the screening. “We are going to be transparent, we are going to be fair, and we are going to be just to all of them. The party has guidelines that govern the process, and we will operate strictly in line with the constitution of the party and the electoral act,” Oyebanji said.

The Governor expressed confidence that the committee’s work would strengthen internal democracy within the party and position it for success in the upcoming general elections. He added that the screening process would be thorough and conducted in the best interest of the APC.

Speaking on the operational details, the committee’s Deputy Secretary and former Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shuaibu, said about 38 aspirants would be screened for various National Working Committee (NWC) positions. Shuaibu explained that the NWC positions had been divided into three groups, with designated members of the panel handling each category, ensuring the process is completed within the one-day timeframe allocated.

Meanwhile, co-chairman of the committee, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, described the screening as a critical litmus test for the party’s internal democracy, calling the panel’s work a “selfless service” that contributes to Nigeria’s broader political stability.

Other notable members present at the meeting included former Senate President Senator Ken Nnamani, former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda, former Cross River State Governor Prof. Ben Ayade, former Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura, and Senator Osita Isunaso, among others.