The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially inaugurated its National Campaign Council for the upcoming Ekiti State gubernatorial election, scheduled for June 20, 2026. The party’s leadership declared full readiness for the poll, expressing confidence in securing a landslide victory to return the incumbent Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for a second term.
Speaking at the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Retreat in Abuja, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, commended Governor Oyebanji’s first-term performance, citing significant milestones in infrastructure, social protection, scholarships, and healthcare support systems.
“You seem to be the only candidate for this election. I can say informally, congratulations in advance,” Yilwatda said, highlighting the massive logistical, financial, and political machinery being deployed by the party. He emphasized that the APC commands an unmatched nationwide structure, drawing support from federal lawmakers and governors across all six geopolitical zones.
The newly inaugurated National Campaign Council is chaired by the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio serving alongside him.
In his acceptance remarks, Governor Sani recalled Oyebanji’s 2022 victory—where he secured 187,557 votes to defeat his closest rival by over 104,000 votes—and set a bold new target for the 2026 election.
“Our goal for the upcoming election is ambitious, yet achievable. We are targeting an increase of over 100% of the number of votes for APC. APC will aim for a margin of victory of no less than 500,000 votes,” Sani stated. He added that effective campaign structures have already been established across all 16 local government areas and 177 wards in Ekiti State, with a strong focus on mobilizing women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Reacting to the party’s backing, Governor Oyebanji attributed his administration’s successes over the past three and a half years to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he said provided the necessary resources to fulfill social contracts with Ekiti citizens.
Oyebanji echoed the campaign’s high expectations, promising to dramatically increase the party’s voter turnout compared to the last presidential election.
“In the last election, we gave Mr. President 67% of our total votes cast. And I challenge myself that for 2026, we are going to do 500,000, and for the 2027 election, we’ll do 700,000,” Oyebanji said. He praised the APC State Campaign Council, led by Senate Leader Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, noting that over 10,000 canvassers have already been deployed across the state’s 2,445 polling units. The Governor also acknowledged the presence and support of Ekiti’s first executive governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo.
Earlier, the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, delivered the welcome address and outlined the organizational framework of the National Campaign Council. To ensure a seamless operation, Basiru announced that the council has been structured into 11 specialized subcommittees:
Election Planning and Management Committee (Overall strategy and compliance)
Financial and Resource Mobilisation Subcommittee (Funding and donor engagement)
Contact, Grassroots, Engagement and Mobilisation Subcommittee (Direct polling unit outreach)
Logistics and Campaign Management Committee (Transportation and event execution)
Protocol Committee (Dignitary seating and etiquette)
Media and Publicity Subcommittee (Traditional and digital communication)
Security Subcommittee (Risk assessment and protection)
Special Interest Peoples with Disabilities Mobilisation Committee (Inclusive campaign outreach)
Women Mobilisation Subcommittee (Targeted women’s networks)
Youth Mobilisation Subcommittee (Student and young professional outreach)
Secretariat Subcommittee (Administrative and documentation support)
Basiru stated that the National Working Committee carefully selected the members of these committees based on their experience and capacity to deliver a decisive victory for the party on June 20.