Ekiti 2026: Oyebanji urges APC members to shun overconfidence, campaign as underdogs

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

Ado-Ekiti — Governor Biodun Oyebanji has warned All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Ekiti State against overconfidence ahead of the June 20 gubernatorial election, urging them to approach the poll as underdogs despite the party’s strong standing in the state.

Oyebanji expressed concern over complacency among party members, stressing that victory depends on effective mobilisation rather than mere assumptions of success.

The governor made the remarks on Monday at the APC Secretariat in Ado-Ekiti during the inauguration of the 57-member Ekiti APC 2026 Governorship Election Campaign Council, chaired by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

He tasked the council to engage in house-to-house awareness campaigns to secure at least 500,000 votes, describing the target as unprecedented in the state’s political history. Oyebanji emphasised that even in a state largely dominated by the APC, consistent mobilisation is key to ensuring a decisive win.

“Before I take my seat, I want to stress what the leader said. I keep hearing from people that there are no problems, that if we don’t campaign, we’ve already won. I do not want us to go along that line. We should beware of overconfidence. We should approach this election as if we are the underdog,” Oyebanji said.

He reiterated his commitment to an issue-based, peaceful campaign, anchored on the achievements of the APC at both the state and federal levels. He appealed to opposition parties to conduct themselves lawfully and maintain peace, warning that individual ambitions are not worth human lives.

The governor commended Bamidele for leading the council, noting that his involvement reflects a commitment to keeping the state in safe hands.

In his acceptance speech, Bamidele thanked the party for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to drive the re-election campaign with diligence. He described Oyebanji’s tenure over the past 40 months as transformative, highlighting achievements in road infrastructure, youth empowerment, business facilitation, human capital development, and agricultural initiatives supporting food security.

Bamidele said the June 20 election would serve as a referendum to affirm Oyebanji’s leadership, adding that political cohesion, peace, and stability in the state under the governor’s administration are testimony to his governance.

He vowed that, alongside the 56-member council, the campaign would be conducted professionally and decisively to secure a landslide victory for the APC in Ekiti State.