The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has expressed confidence that the party will secure victory in the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election, insisting that the contest is already beyond the reach of opposition parties.
Yilwatda made the declaration on Wednesday during the inauguration of the APC National Campaign Council for the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State.
According to him, the ruling party enjoys overwhelming political support across the country, reflected in the presence of serving governors, federal lawmakers and other influential party leaders mobilised for the election campaign.
The APC chairman said Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s performance in office had positioned him strongly for a second term, adding that the party was proud to present him again to the electorate.
Drawing from a recent visit to the state, Yilwatda commended the governor’s achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education and social welfare, describing him as one of the party’s strongest candidates.
He said the administration had delivered road projects, expanded social protection programmes, provided scholarships and improved healthcare services while fostering unity across the state.
“We are proud of what Governor Oyebanji has achieved. We are presenting him to the people of Ekiti without hesitation because of his record in office,” he said.
Yilwatda further argued that no opposition party could match the APC’s political structure and support base, citing the presence of governors from different geopolitical zones and senior National Assembly members at the inauguration ceremony.
He challenged rival parties to demonstrate a comparable level of backing, maintaining that the APC possessed the numerical strength, political reach and organisational capacity required to secure victory.
The party chairman also dismissed concerns about campaign financing, saying members of the campaign council and other party stakeholders had the capacity to mobilise the resources needed for the election.
“Our campaign structure is strong, our supporters are committed, and funding will not be a challenge,” he said.
He added that the campaign council was deliberately designed to be inclusive, with women and young people playing active roles in the electioneering process.
Speaking at the event, Kaduna State Governor and Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for the Ekiti election, Senator Uba Sani, said the committee had already commenced grassroots mobilisation across the state.
According to him, campaign structures have been established in all 16 local government areas and the 177 wards in Ekiti to ensure direct engagement with voters ahead of the poll.
Sani described the campaign as a movement aimed at connecting with residents and highlighting the impact of reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He said the election would provide an opportunity to showcase what he described as positive developments resulting from the federal government’s policies while also strengthening support for Governor Oyebanji.
The Kaduna governor noted that the incumbent enjoyed broad support, including backing from all living former governors of Ekiti State, a factor he said would contribute significantly to the APC’s chances at the polls.
Governor Oyebanji, in his remarks, expressed confidence that Ekiti voters would renew his mandate, insisting that his administration had fulfilled the promises made during the 2022 governorship campaign.
He said his government had faithfully implemented the social contract entered into with the people and expected the electorate to reward that performance at the ballot box.
The governor described the June 20 election as an opportunity for residents to assess his administration’s achievements and support its continuation for another four years.
He also praised Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele for his support throughout the campaign period and expressed optimism that the APC would emerge victorious when voters head to the polls.
