The All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated a 150-member National Campaign Council ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026, as the party intensifies efforts to secure a second term for Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
The inauguration ceremony was held on Wednesday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, with key party leaders and stakeholders in attendance.
Leading the campaign council is the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Uba Sani, who will serve as Chairman, while President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, assumes the role of Co-Chairman. Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, will function as Secretary of the council.
According to the APC, members of the committee were drawn from among some of the party’s most experienced and accomplished leaders nationwide, with the mandate to provide strategic direction and coordinate campaign activities ahead of the election.
Unveiling the council, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described the forthcoming poll as an opportunity to consolidate the achievements recorded by the Oyebanji administration and sustain progressive governance in the state.
He praised the governor’s performance across critical sectors, citing investments in social welfare programmes, education, healthcare, road infrastructure and rural development.
“This assignment goes beyond politics. It is an opportunity to showcase the remarkable achievements of Governor Oyebanji and ensure that the people of Ekiti continue to enjoy the dividends of progressive governance,” Yilwatda said.
The APC chairman expressed confidence in the capacity of the council to mobilise support across the state and deliver victory at the polls.
“Mobilisation will not be a challenge. The distinguished men and women on this committee possess the experience, influence and commitment required to ensure success,” he added.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Uba Sani thanked the party leadership for the confidence reposed in the council and pledged total commitment to the assignment.
He described Governor Oyebanji as a performer whose achievements have earned him widespread acceptance among the people of Ekiti State.
Reflecting on the governor’s victory in the 2022 election, where he polled 187,057 votes and defeated his closest challenger by over 104,000 votes, Sani said the council was determined to surpass that record in the forthcoming election.
“Our objective is not merely to win another election but to deepen the people’s confidence in good governance. We are targeting increased voter turnout and greater support for our party across the state,” he said.
The Kaduna governor disclosed that campaign structures had already been activated in all local government areas and the 177 wards of the state to ensure effective grassroots mobilisation.
According to him, the APC campaign will go beyond rallies and political activities, focusing instead on connecting with the aspirations and expectations of the electorate.
To drive its operations, the National Campaign Council has been divided into 11 specialised subcommittees covering key areas, including Election Planning and Management, Finance and Resource Mobilisation, Contact and Grassroots Engagement, Logistics and Campaign Management, Protocol, Media and Publicity, Security, Persons with Disabilities Mobilisation, Women’s Mobilisation, Youth Mobilisation, and the Secretariat Committee.
The APC enters the race seeking to retain control of Ekiti State and build on what party leaders describe as the successes of the Oyebanji administration.
