APC pledges 10m South-West votes for Tinubu, declares Oyebanji’s re-election a "walkover"

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled plans to mobilise at least 10 million votes in the South-west for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with party leaders describing the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State as a “walkover” for Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate leader and chairman of the Ekiti APC 2026 Governorship Election Campaign, disclosed on Monday during the inauguration of a 57-member governorship election campaign council in Ado Ekiti, that Oyebanji’s “unprecedented” achievements since assuming office is a key factor expected to secure a decisive victory for the APC.

“The June 20 election will be a referendum to affirm Governor Oyebanji’s leadership,” Bamidele said. “His record of strategic development projects and programmes has transformed Ekiti State and demonstrates his commitment to the welfare of over 3.8 million residents.”

The inauguration was attended by high-profile APC leaders, including Monisade Afuye, the deputy governor; Adeoye Aribasoye, speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly; Ajibola Basiru, the national secretary of the APC; Dayo Adeyeye, the chairman of the Nigeria Ports Authority Board; Bode Olowoporoku, a former Senator of Ekiti Central, and all serving members of the National Assembly from the state.

Bamidele emphasised that the APC’s mobilisation efforts extend beyond Oyebanji’s re-election, stressing the strategic importance of preparing for the 2027 general elections. “Our task is not limited to Ekiti State alone. We are preparing to secure the future of our party both in the state and nationally,” he said.

He outlined a comprehensive voter mobilisation strategy, urging party members to encourage neighbours and relations to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) under the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR). Bamidele noted that Ekiti currently has 987,647 registered voters, far below the state’s population of 3.8 million, and called for a 50 percent increase in enrolment by August 2026.

“Our members must go house-to-house, street-to-street, and community-to-community to ensure maximum participation. Only through proactive mobilisation can we achieve a landslide for APC and President Tinubu in the region,” he added.

Bamidele promised to drive the campaign with “utmost dedication,” targeting a 90 per cent victory margin for Oyebanji in the June 20 polls. He urged party leaders to act in unity, describing harmony and collective effort as essential to securing victory.

In response, Governor Oyebanji affirmed that his campaign would be issue-driven, focusing on policies, programmes, and development plans rather than personal attacks. He also called on rival parties to comply strictly with the Electoral Act 2022 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pledging that adherence to these rules will ensure a peaceful and credible election.

kenneth Athekame

Athekame Kenneth is a politics, economy, and finance reporter whose work is anchored in sharp investigative storytelling. He brings analytical depth to every piece, drawing on a strong academic foundation that includes a degree in Economics, an MBA in International Trade, and a minor in Petroleum Economics from Lagos State University, Ojo. His reporting blends rigorous research with a keen eye for hidden truths, delivering stories that illuminate power, policy, and the forces shaping everyday lives.