Ekiti 2026: APC unveils campaign council, to deploy full strength for Oyebanji’s victory

Ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday inaugurated a high powered National Campaign Council to drive Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election campaign.

The inauguration was held at the Kashim Shettima Hall of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

It was attended by the National Chairman of the party, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, Senator President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, serving and former governors, serving and former ministers and party leaders across the six geographical political zones.

Addressing party leaders and members at the inauguration, APC National Chairman, Professor Yilwatda, said the party was approaching the election from a position of strength, insisting that Governor Oyebanji’s performance over the last four years had provided a compelling case for re- election and made the campaign Councils work a lot easier.

According to him, the governor’s achievements in infrastructure renewal, rural development, healthcare delivery, education, youth empowerment, agriculture and social investments have not only earned him public goodwill but have also strengthened the APC’s popularity across communities in the state.

He noted that the administration’s emphasis on inclusive governance has ensured that no segment of society was left behind.

Professor Yilwatda explained that the composition of the National Campaign Council reflected the leadership philosophy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises inclusion, participation and broad stakeholder engagement.

He added that women, youths, persons with disabilities and representatives of various interest groups were deliberately accommodated within the campaign architecture to ensure that every voice is represented in the electoral process.

“I can testify as an eyewitness that the Governor is doing very well. In terms of infrastructure, you have built road, you have provided social protection for your people, you have provided scholarships, you have provided health support system for your people, you are not only connecting roads, you are connecting Houses across the state, we celebrate you and we thank God for giving you to the people of Ekiti State and Our Party.

“We are proud that we have you and I say congratulations to you in advance.

“No political party can parade this array of people we have in this council. I challenge any candidate to present any Governor or Personality behind him during the campaign, we will present ten times of such bigwigs within our party to support you.

“We have the numbers, we have the strength, and we are prepared,” the chairman said.

The APC National Chairman further stated that the campaign would not merely focus on winning votes but on presenting to the people of Ekiti a clear account of the administration’s stewardship and its vision for the future.

He expressed confidence that the governor’s record in office would resonate with voters when they head to the polls.

Providing insight into the operational framework of the council, APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, disclosed that specialised committees had been established to coordinate every aspect of the campaign.

These include election planning and management, grassroots mobilisation, finance and resource mobilisation, media and publicity, security, protocol, logistics, women’s mobilisation, youth mobilisation and secretariat operations.

“As it is in the character of our party, every election matters to us and we believe that we must put in our best in terms of human resources, in terms of capacity leadership and in terms of adequate preparation for the election.

“The composition comprises the best of the best elements in progressive politics in Nigeria with adequate experience and exposure on how to deliver victory for our party I June 20 2026 in Ekiti State,” he remarked.

Basiru noted that the comprehensive structure was designed to ensure a seamless campaign across all wards and local government areas of the state, while also strengthening engagement with critical voting blocs ahead of the election.

The council is chaired by Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, with President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, serving as Co Chairman, while Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, takes responsibility as Secretary.

Speaking shortly after his inauguration as Chairman of the Campaign Council, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, declared that Governor Oyebanji had made the task of campaigning considerably easier through what he described as an uncommon combination of humility, competence and political maturity.

He said the Ekiti governor had succeeded in building bridges across political divides and maintaining harmonious relationships with stakeholders regardless of party affiliation.

According to him, the governor’s disposition has transformed him from being merely a political leader into a rallying point for consensus and development in the state.

“I really want to acknowledge the remarkable achievement of my brother, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji.

“Our goal for the upcoming election is ambitious yet achievable. We are targeting 100 percent victory for Biodun Oyebanji with nothing less than 500,000 votes.