The All Progressives Congress on Wednesday declared that no opposition party can match its political strength in Ekiti State as it inaugurated its governorship campaign council in Abuja.
- +Ekiti 2026: APC targets 500,000 votes, downplays opposition
The party also set an ambitious target of securing 500,000 votes for Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the forthcoming election.
The party also set an ambitious target of securing 500,000 votes for Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the forthcoming election.
Party leaders, including APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, Kaduna State Governor and chairman of the Ekiti Governorship National Campaign Council, Uba Sani, co-chairman and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, expressed confidence that Oyebanji’s performance in office would secure a landslide re-election victory.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed June 20, 2026, for the Ekiti State governorship election, as political parties conclude preparations ahead of the poll.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Yilwatda expressed confidence in the re-election prospects of Oyebanji, describing him as one of the party’s best-performing governors.
Yilwatda also declared that the APC remained unmatched in strength and national reach, pointing to the presence of governors, lawmakers, women, youths, and other stakeholders from across the country at the event.
He stated, “Your Excellency, you have done very well in terms of 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.
“We celebrate you, and we thank God for giving you to the people of Ekiti and to our party as well. And today, we present you to the people of Ekiti for the second time. As a party, we are not ashamed. We are proud that we have you. We are happy. You are one of the best candidates for this election.
“People have no option in this election. You seem to be the only candidate in this election. I can say 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. The entire country is seated here. I challenge any candidate to present even one governor behind him while campaigning. Who presents more than ten times the number you present? Present one senator who presents more than ten times what you can present. Present one National Assembly member who provides more than ten times the number. We have the numbers.”
The APC chairman said it has the manpower, resources, and grassroots support needed to secure victory in the governorship election, with women, youths, and persons with disabilities mobilising voters across the state.
He continued, “We are building an inclusive campaign council. The women are here. The young people are here. The elderly are here. With all talents and all shades of opinion, people who can raise funding down to mobilisation at the polling unit level. We are prepared. That is why APC seeks to ensure that nobody challenges us in this election.”
Akpabio urged APC members to remain loyal and united, saying the large turnout of party leaders at the campaign council inauguration reflected the party’s strength ahead of future elections.
He also called on members to accept the outcome of the primaries and support the party’s candidates, expressing confidence that the APC would secure victory in the forthcoming polls.
Uba Sani set an ambitious target for Oyebanji’s re-election, aiming for a vote margin of over 500,000 in the forthcoming governorship poll.
He said the goal reflected growing confidence in the governor’s performance and the party’s expanding grassroots support across the state’s 16 local government areas and 177 wards.
Sani stated, “As we embark on this journey, I want to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of my brother, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji. 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. The path ahead is made lighter by the progressive reforms of our former chairman.”
The Kaduna governor said President Bola Tinubu’s leadership rebuilding effort was strengthening Nigeria and empowering states like Ekiti to thrive.
“As we embark on this journey together, I urge each and every one of you to commit fully to mobilise, engage, and advocate for the vision we share.
“Together, we will ensure that the voice of the people is not only heard but amplified,” he concluded.
