The Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has revealed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is putting in place an extensive APC mobilisation plan aimed at delivering no fewer than 10 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the South-West during the 2027 general elections.
Bamidele disclosed this on Monday in Ado Ekiti during the inauguration of a 57-member governorship campaign council established to coordinate preparations for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026.
According to him, the party is determined to strengthen its political base across the region through a deliberate APC mobilisation effort that will involve grassroots engagement and increased voter participation.
The Senate leader, who also serves as chairman of the campaign council for the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, expressed confidence that the ruling party would emerge victorious in the forthcoming poll.
He described the expected outcome as a straightforward victory for the APC, citing the governor’s developmental record and governance style as key factors that would influence voters.
The inauguration ceremony attracted several prominent political figures and party leaders from across the state.
Among those present were the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Monisade Afuye; the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; the National Secretary of the APC, Ajibola Basiru; and the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dayo Adeyeye. Former lawmakers and other key stakeholders within the party structure were also in attendance.
Addressing members of the newly inaugurated council, Bamidele emphasised that the governorship election would serve as a referendum on the leadership of Governor Oyebanji.
He said the administration had demonstrated a commitment to development through strategic policies and projects aimed at improving the quality of life of residents across the state.
According to him, the governor has guided the state with determination and a clear sense of direction, while working collaboratively with stakeholders to promote stability and economic growth.
Bamidele praised Oyebanji’s leadership approach, describing it as focused, inclusive, and strongly committed to the welfare of Ekiti citizens.
While the Ekiti election remains a priority for the party, Bamidele noted that the APC is simultaneously preparing for the broader political contest expected during the 2027 general elections.
He explained that the party’s leadership has already begun coordinating a regional strategy centred on APC mobilisation across the six South-West states.
The senator said the party’s target is to secure at least 10 million votes for President Tinubu from the region alone.
He added that achieving this ambitious goal would require consistent grassroots engagement, improved voter registration, and stronger participation in the electoral process.
Bamidele pointed out that Ekiti State’s population currently exceeds 3.8 million people, yet official electoral records from 2023 indicate that only 987,647 residents are registered voters.
He described this gap as an opportunity for the party and other stakeholders to encourage more citizens to participate in the democratic process.
As part of the broader APC mobilisation strategy, he urged party members to actively promote the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
According to him, increasing the number of registered voters will be essential for strengthening democratic participation and ensuring that citizens can freely express their political choices during elections.
The Senate leader also highlighted the importance of obtaining Permanent Voter Cards, stressing that registration alone would not guarantee participation unless eligible voters collect their PVCs.
He therefore encouraged party members to reach out to their communities and ensure that more people complete the process.
Bamidele suggested that if mobilisation efforts are sustained, the number of registered voters in Ekiti could increase significantly before the voter registration exercise is expected to be suspended in August 2026.
He projected that a well-coordinated APC mobilisation campaign could increase the state’s voter register by as much as 50 percent.
To achieve this objective, he advised party members to adopt a grassroots-driven approach by engaging people directly in their communities.
This, he said, should include outreach to neighbours, colleagues at workplaces, relatives, and other members of the public who may not yet be registered to vote.
According to him, such an inclusive approach will not only expand voter participation but will also strengthen the party’s relationship with local communities ahead of future elections.
Bamidele also assured party supporters that the campaign council would work diligently to deliver a decisive victory in the Ekiti governorship election.
He predicted that the APC could secure a landslide victory for Governor Oyebanji if party members remain united and focused throughout the campaign period.
He emphasised that unity and cooperation among party leaders and supporters would play a crucial role in achieving electoral success.
The senator urged stakeholders to avoid internal divisions and instead work collectively toward the shared goal of victory.
In his remarks, Governor Oyebanji expressed appreciation to the Senate leader and other party leaders for their support and commitment to the state’s development.
He acknowledged the role of the campaign council and promised that his re-election campaign would focus on issues that matter to the people.
The governor stated that his campaign would emphasise policies, development plans, and governance achievements rather than personal attacks against political opponents.
According to him, maintaining a respectful campaign atmosphere is important for preserving the reputation of the party.
Oyebanji also called on candidates from other political parties to conduct their campaigns responsibly and within the limits of the law.
He urged all participants in the electoral process to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
He noted that strict adherence to the legal framework governing elections would help guarantee a peaceful, credible, and transparent electoral process in Ekiti State.
The governor added that maintaining electoral integrity is essential for strengthening public confidence in democracy.
Overall, the APC leadership believes that the combination of strong governance performance, increased voter registration, and sustained APC mobilisation will position the party favourably in both the Ekiti governorship election and the 2027 general elections.
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