2027: Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele Returns as APC Consensus Candidate for Ekiti Central

Ahead of the 2027 general election, the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has emerged unopposed as the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ekiti Central.

Bamidele’s emergence was confirmed in a list of duly screened senatorial aspirants in Ekiti State released on Sunday night by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Arugungu.
Other aspirants cleared by the party include Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Adeyemi Adaramodu; former Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi; and Bamidele Faparusi for Ekiti South Senatorial District.
Also cleared for Ekiti North Senatorial District are Chairman of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Cyril Fasuyi; Ayo Arise; Oladipupo Bamisaye; and Oluwadare Owolabi.
With the latest nomination, Bamidele will fly the APC flag for Ekiti Central Senatorial District for the third consecutive time, following what the party described as overwhelming support from his constituents.
He first secured the party’s senatorial ticket in 2019 after a keenly contested primary election against the then-incumbent senator, Fatimat Raji-Rasaki.
Bamidele also emerged unopposed for the party’s senatorial nomination in 2023, a development attributed to his performance in the areas of legislation, representation and oversight.
The statement was issued by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Leader of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, on May 18, 2026.