Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will record victory in all 177 wards of the state in the June 20, 2026, governorship election.

Speaking on Saturday at his ward in Ikogosi Ekiti during the party’s delegates congress, Oyebanji said his administration had endeared the party to the people, including members of the opposition, due to its performance in governance.

The congress was held to elect delegates from the 177 wards who will, during the party’s primary election on October 27, affirm Oyebanji as the APC governorship candidate for the forthcoming election.

The APC National Working Committee had earlier announced Oyebanji as the consensus candidate following the withdrawal of another aspirant, Mrs. Atinuke Olayemi Omolayo, while two others — Kayode Ojo and Abimbola Olawumi — were disqualified.

Describing the peaceful conduct of the exercise, Oyebanji said it demonstrated the discipline and unity of the party in the state.

“You can see that our members are happy and united in one accord. In all the wards, delegates were elected by consensus, which shows unity between the leadership and members of the party,” he said.

The governor added that the APC had become more attractive under his leadership, noting that several members from other parties had joined due to the administration’s performance.

“With God on our side, the record we want to break on June 20 next year is to win all 177 wards. It has never happened before, but by God’s grace, APC will win convincingly across the state,” Oyebanji declared.

The Chairman of the APC Delegates Congress Committee for Ekiti State, Jaret Tenebe, commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise, saying the process was transparent and in line with the party’s guidelines.

Tenebe, who also serves as the APC chairman in Edo State, congratulated the elected delegates and praised Oyebanji for strengthening the party’s unity.

Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organisations and Independent National Electoral Commission-registered observers lauded the peaceful nature of the exercise.

In a communiqué issued in Ado Ekiti, the groups — Citizens Right for Peace and Non-Violence Initiative, Global Development Centre for Rescue Mission Nigeria, and Suitable African Initiative for Suitable and Positive Development — described the election as “peaceful and credible.”

Their coordinator, Romanus Azubuike, said the congress was conducted across all 177 wards in line with party rules and monitored by security agencies.

“We appreciate all stakeholders and party members for their peaceful conduct. The governor demonstrated true leadership by not interfering in the process despite being a candidate,” he said.

Azubuike noted that the exercise was significant in ensuring transparency, fairness, and inclusiveness ahead of the party’s governorship primary.

The Lagos State Police Command has announced the death of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Festac Division, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Matilda Ngbaronye, who passed away on Friday after undergoing surgery at a medical centre in the Surulere area of the state.

In a statement on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Command, Abimbola Adebisi, described the late officer as an upright and dedicated professional who served the Nigeria Police Force with integrity and commitment for over 15 years.

“The Command mourns the loss of a truly upright and dedicated officer who served with unwavering professionalism and integrity,” Adebisi said. “Until her passing, she was known for her diligence, discipline, and commitment to duty. Her friendly disposition and humane approach to policing greatly helped to bridge the gap between the Police and the public she dutifully served.”

Adebisi added that the news of Ngbaronye’s death came as a rude shock to the Command. She said the Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Olohundare, along with all officers and men of the Command, have extended their condolences to the deceased’s family and aged mother.

According to her, the Commissioner has personally reached out to the late DPO’s husband and elder brother, who is a priest, to convey the Command’s sympathy and support. Burial arrangements, she noted, will be announced later.

Ngbaronye joined the Nigeria Police Force on April 19, 2010, and rose steadily through the ranks to become one of the most distinguished female officers in the Lagos State Command.

She served in various capacities, including as Crime Officer at Dolphin Estate Division, Ikoyi, and as General Investigation and Fingerprint Expert at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti.

Ngbaronye also headed the Public Complaints Bureau and later served as Public Information Officer with the African Union Mission in Somalia, where she earned commendations for her performance.

In December 2020, she was appointed Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for the Lagos Command by the then Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu. She was promoted to the rank of Superintendent in February 2021 and elevated to Chief Superintendent in December 2024 among 1,348 officers promoted by the Police Service Commission.

Before her posting to Festac Division, she served as the Divisional Police Officer at Iponri.

Her death has sparked an outpouring of grief from colleagues and members of the public.

A Facebook user, Abu Yahaya, wrote: “A great loss. CSP Matilda, DPO Festac Division, is dead. She died on October 24, 2025, at an undisclosed hospital in Surulere, Lagos. May God Almighty console her family and the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Command. RIP, hero.”

Another mourner, broadcaster Moshood Ogunleye, said: “Residents, members of the Police Community Relations Committee, and officers in Festac Town were in mourning as the news spread.”