Ekiti 2026: Oyebanji’s Re-election Already Won – APC Chairman

ADO-EKITI, Nigeria — The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has declared that Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s re-election in the June 20, 2026 governorship poll is already won, anchored on the governor’s outstanding performance and the massive goodwill he enjoys across Ekiti State.

NaijaChoice News reports that Professor Yilwatda made the assertion on Monday at the grand flag-off of the Ekiti State APC/BAO Governorship Campaign held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, which drew a mammoth crowd of party faithful, traditional rulers, market women, youths and leaders from all walks of life.

The APC National Chairman, who led a high-powered delegation that included several state governors, said the national leadership of the party is impressed with what Governor Oyebanji, popularly called BAO, has achieved in just three and a half years.

He assured the governor of the party’s total and unflinching support for his second term, stressing that continuity of good governance remains the best option for Ekiti people.

Prof. Yilwatda said other political parties and their candidates are “no match” for the APC and Governor Oyebanji, describing them as “so-so yeye.” He asked the governor to “take a bow” before the people for his remarkable feats.

The APC chairman specifically praised Oyebanji for fostering unity across ethnic lines — bringing together Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Ebira, Urhobo and other groups — massive infrastructure development, strong support for agriculture that has boosted food security, and for making Ekiti one of the most secure states in Nigeria.

He told the excited crowd: “Prepare pounded yam for your swearing-in because the election is already won. On election day, wear your canvass, wear your jeans and go out and vote for BAO.”

The confidence expressed by the APC National Chairman was echoed by the Progressive Governors’ Forum led by Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and the APC National Campaign Council led by Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani.

Governor Uzodimma said the once fragmented Ekiti is now solidly united under Oyebanji’s humble and inclusive leadership, adding that voting for BAO is voting for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of addressing food insecurity, infrastructure deficit and unemployment.

Senator Uba Sani, who described Oyebanji as one of the best performing governors in the country, highlighted the reconstruction and rehabilitation of over 350 kilometres of roads across the 16 local government areas, massive renovation of primary healthcare centres and public schools, as well as people-oriented programmes that are making life better for Ekiti residents.

All former governors of the state — Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chief Ayodele Fayose, Chief Segun Oni and Dr Kayode Fayemi — were present and publicly threw their weight behind Oyebanji’s re-election, urging the people to vote massively for him and his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, to sustain the current tempo of development.

In his response, Governor Oyebanji told the cheering crowd that he had fulfilled the social contract he signed with Ekiti people in 2022, thanks largely to the special interest shown by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the state.

He listed key federal interventions including the reconstruction of Ado-Akure road, Ado-Ifaki road and the award of the Ado-Aramoko road, noting that no president in the 29 years of Ekiti’s creation has been as fair to the state as President Tinubu.

The governor called on the people to repay the President’s kindness by delivering a minimum of 500,000 votes for the APC on June 20.

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who is Chairman of the 2026 Ekiti Campaign Council, described Oyebanji as “a round peg in a round hole” who understands the language of development and has united the state like never before.

Other top dignitaries at the event included Ekiti State First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji; APC National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Chief Isaac Kekemeke; Director General of the Campaign Council, Senator Cyril Fasuyi; Senator Yemi Adaramodu; and several members of the National and State Assemblies.

The flag-off has set the tone for what many observers now describe as a one-horse race in the June 20 election, with the APC projecting an unprecedented victory for Governor Biodun Oyebanji based on performance, unity and continuity.