….Says Ekiti Success ‘ll be Blueprint for Osun, Presidential polls
The newly elected Southwest Zonal Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed strong confidence in the re-election of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, stressing that his performance has positioned him as a unifying force within the party and beyond.
This assurance was given by the Zonal Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, in his acceptance speech, shortly after his emergence at the party’s Southwest Zonal Congress held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos on Wednesday.
Kekemeke, while addressing delegates, noted that Governor Oyebanji has not only strengthened the party’s internal cohesion in Ekiti State, but has also broadened its appeal across political divides.
According to him, the Governor’s inclusive style of governance and visible developmental strides have attracted admiration even from opposition elements within the Ekiti State.
He described Oyebanji as a leader whose performance has redefined governance at the subnational level, stressing that the administration’s approach to infrastructure, public service delivery, and stakeholder engagement has restored public confidence in leadership, adding that such achievements have naturally translated into growing grassroots support for the party.
The APC zonal chairman further called for massive support for the party’s candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, arguing that the developmental trajectory witnessed in Ekiti under Governor Oyebanji provides a clear model of progressive governance that can be replicated.
Drawing a comparison between both states, Kekemeke maintained that the results recorded in Ekiti stand as practical evidence of what disciplined and people-oriented leadership can achieve. He urged voters in Osun to align with the progressive vision of the APC in order to unlock similar opportunities for growth and stability.
“To our governors and delegates, We can assure you that we will do better than we have done before, we will consul better with all of our leaders and the leadership of the National Assembly. We will do much better than we did in the past four years. We ask for your support. We ask for your cooperation. The immediate challenge that we have is that by June, Governor Biodun Oyebanji must return and by August, Oyebamiji must be there in Osun State. Insh Allah. With the leadership of our governor, Governor Oyebanji (BAO ) must break the jinx in Ekiti.
“Our duty as Southwest is to make sure that we give overwhelming victory and support to our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” He remarked.
Kekemeke reiterated that the APC remains guided by a well-defined ideological framework focused on development, economic inclusion, and national cohesion. He emphasized that Governor Oyebanji has remained consistent with these principles, noting that his administration reflects the core values of the party.
In his remarks, the Lagos State Governor and Southwest Coordinating Governor of the APC, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the election of the new executives as free fair, credible and rancour-free. He explained that the party followed strictly the recent reforms in Nigeria’s electoral framework, particularly the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act, for enhanced credibility and accounoutability in both internal party processes and the general elections.
The Lagos Governor charged the newly elected zonal executives to adopt a forward looking approach in their leadership. He stressed the importance of unity and strategic planning in strengthening the party’s dominance in the region.
Sanwo Olu particularly urged party leaders to build a formidable structure capable of delivering victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. He noted that the Southwest remains a critical stronghold for the APC and must continue to set the pace in political organization and governance.
“I want to congratulate our brand new zonal chairman of our party, who, we believe, will lift the zone with him and all his officials, higher.
“We thank God that everything has gone well here today, peacefully and in accordance with the provision of the law. We have followed the rules of engagement, the newly reformed electoral act and the constitution of our great party.
We all must join our hands together to deliver victory for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu by 2027”. He said
The congress also witnessed the emergence of other key officials, including Alfred Aluko as Zonal Secretary and Daramola Adesuyi as Zonal Legal Adviser.
All the APC Governors from the zone were present at the event which was also attended by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, members of the National and state Assemblies from the zone among others.