The All Progressives Congress, APC, has inaugurated its Ekiti State campaign council ahead of the state governorship election coming up on 20th June, 2026, saying the party is ready for the election.
National Chairman of the party, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, while inaugurating the campaign council at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Center on Wednesday, commended the members on behalf of the National Working Committee, NWC, for accepting the responsibility to serve the party.
He also commended the incumbent Governor, Abayomi Oyebanji, who is also the party’s candidate in the election, saying he was in the state to see the good work Governor Oyebanji is doing, describing him as ‘God-sent to the State.’
“On behalf of the NWC members and entire party members across the country, I thank you for accepting to serve as members of the Campaign Council in Ekiti State.
“I am lucky I was in Ekiti, not just to visit but to inspect what the governor is doing. And I can testify; I was an eyewitness. The government is doing very well; I am impressed.
“Your Excellency, you have done very well in infrastructure. You have built roads; you are providing social protection for your people; you are providing scholarships; you are providing health support systems for your people. You are connecting roads; you are connecting hearts across the state,” he said.
Prof. Yilwatda further stressed that people have no option in the election, noting that Oyebanji seems to be the only candidate for this election, saying, “I can say it informally: congratulations in advance.
“No political party can match this array of people. We have governors from all sections of the country, the Senate president from the South-South, and many others.
“We celebrate you and we thank God for giving you to the people of Ekiti and to our party. Today, we present you to the people of Ekiti for the second time. As a party, we are not ashamed,” he added.
The party chairman also stated that the party is building an inclusive campaign council with the women, the youth, people living with disabilities (PWDs) and the elderly – all talented and shared-opinion people who can raise funding down to mobilisation at the polling unit level.
Prof. Yilwatda, however, inaugurated the committee, saying, “Having seen your capacity, your strength, and commitment to our party to ensure that you deliver Ekiti State, I hereby inaugurate the committee.”
Also speaking, Governor of Kaduna State and Chairman of the Campaign Council, Uba Sani, stated that across Nigeria, where every state can thrive and grow, I want to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of my brother, the Governor of Ekiti State, Oyebanji, recalling that, in the 2022 governorship election, he scored 187,557 votes, defeating his closest rival by a margin of over 104,000 votes.
“This impressive victory is not merely a number; it is a clear mandate from the people of Ekiti, who have embraced the transformative vision of the APC. Our goal for the upcoming election is ambitious, yet achievable.
“We are targeting an increase of over 100 per cent in the number of votes for Governor Oyebanji and a margin of no less than 500,000 votes over his closest rival. This is not just a numerical target.
“It symbolises our commitment to ensuring that the voice of the people is amplified and their trust in good governance is rewarded. I am pleased to announce that we have established effective campaign structures across all 16 local government areas and 177 wards in Ekiti State.
“This grassroots engagement is foundational to our strategy, ensuring that every citizen is reached, heard, and mobilised for this crucial election.
“Our campaign will not merely be a series of rallies; it will be a movement that resonates with the aspirations of the people.”
He stated that the election will serve as a reminder of profound reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a testament to the positive changes taking root across our nation.
“Governor Oyebanji’s anticipated landslide victory is further bolstered by the unique and unprecedented support he enjoys from all living former governors of Ekiti State.
“We are committed to fostering an environment where everyone has a role to play in building a brighter future. Let us remember that this campaign is not just about winning an election; it is about securing the future of Ekiti State.
“It is about ensuring that the progress made by the APC government continues and every citizen can partake in the benefits of good governance. As we embark on this journey together, I urge each and every one of you to commit fully to mobilising, engaging, and advocating for the vision we share. Together, we will ensure that the voice of the people is not only heard but amplified.
“Let us march forward with courage, determination, and unity. Together, we will achieve an extraordinary victory for Governor Oyebanji and the APC in the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election,” he added.
In his speech, Co-Chairman of the Campaign Council and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, congratulated Oyebanji and all aspirants that won the party primaries, representing the party as its flagbearer in all the elections, and to those who lost, he said, “I plead with my colleagues, both in the House of Representatives and the Senate, that the Senate President, as Chairman of the National Assembly, is saying that you should have done your homework well before going for the primaries.”
Leave a Reply