Ekiti Guber poll: Yilwatda inaugurates APC national campaign council

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, has charged Renewed Hope Ambassadors to take President Bola Tinubu’s achievement records directly to Nigerians in all nooks and crannies of the country.

He remarked that facts alone will not win the minds of the people or ensure victory for the party in the 2027 general election, but added that convincing stories about projects and the evidence of achievements can do wonders.

Speaking at a workshop organized by the APC for coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors on Wednesday, the Chairman praised the movement for its commitment to citizen engagement, public education and constructive advocacy.

He noted that in today’s fast-paced information space, misinformation spreads faster than truth.

“This workshop is a strategic mission,” he declared, adding, “It is about ensuring Nigerians have access to accurate information on the bold reforms, transformative policies and unprecedented investments by President Tinubu to reposition our country for sustainable prosperity.”

The Chairman recalled the state of the economy in May 2023 when President Tinubu assumed office. He listed unsustainable fuel subsidies, multiple exchange rate windows, revenue leakages, declining investor confidence, and heavy debt servicing as inherited challenges.

“Faced with those realities, Tinubu chose courage over convenience,” the Chairman said, pointing out that the administration opted for difficult but necessary reforms aimed at long-term prosperity over short-term political comfort.

He argued that three years on, the results are emerging. “Nigeria’s economy has returned to a stronger growth trajectory,” he stated.

Yilwatda added that “International institutions have acknowledged improvements in macroeconomic stability and fiscal management. Major credit rating agencies have upgraded Nigeria’s sovereign ratings, citing better external balances and investor confidence.

“Foreign reserves have grown to over $50 billion, government revenues have expanded through improved tax administration and subsidy removal, and allocations to states and local governments have increased. States and LGAs can now invest more in development projects and social services,” he noted, citing examples from three APC governors.

“Shell, which once pulled back, is now committing $20 billion fresh investment into Nigeria. Domestic and foreign investments are rising across energy, manufacturing, agriculture, technology, telecoms, and infrastructure. Nigeria recorded a trade surplus of N7.55 trillion in Q1 2026.”

On infrastructure, the Chairman said Tinubu has launched one of the most ambitious renewal programmes in Nigeria’s history. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway are designed to open economic corridors for trade, agriculture, and industry, with over 300 dams planned alongside road construction.

He also highlighted the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline as a strategic push for energy security and industrialization, plus major rail modernisation to cut transport costs and boost competitiveness.

Yilwatda said all these projects form part of a comprehensive plan to build a one-trillion-dollar economy.

“Beyond bricks and mortar, the administration is investing heavily in human capital,” he added, stating also that “the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, has opened higher education financing for about 1.5 million young Nigerians. Social protection, health insurance expansion, and new cancer treatment centres are also underway to reduce medical tourism.”

The Chairman’s core message to the ambassadors was clear: “Policies will not speak for the administration. Projects will not speak for themselves. Statistics don’t speak for themselves, but people speak.”

He urged them to translate reforms into relatable stories about jobs, roads, student loans, and healthcare, among others.

Yilwatda concluded by linking party success to national progress. “Our task is not merely to prepare for elections, our task is to help build a stronger Nigeria. A Nigeria with modern infrastructure, a productive economy, and opportunities for young people. This is what Nigeria Renewed Hope seeks to build.”

Similarly, Yilwatda, on Wednesday inaugurated the National Campaign Council for the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election.

He declared the APC governor the clear frontrunner for a second term even as the party stated that there will be a clear win for the governor.

Speaking at the inauguration, Yilwatda thanked members of the council for accepting the responsibility, stating that he just returned from an inspection tour of Ekiti and could testify that the incumbent government was performing “very, very, well.”

“Your Excellency, you have done very well in terms of infrastructure,” the Chairman told the governor, adding, “You have built roads, you are providing social protection, scholarships, and health support systems for your people. You are connecting roads and connecting hearts across the state.”

He celebrated the governor sayimg that Oyebanji was a gift to Ekiti people and to the APC.

“Today, we present you to the people of Ekiti for the second time. As a party, we are not ashamed. We are proud that we have you. You are one of the best candidates for this election,” Yilwatda stated.

The APC Chairman went further, saying the opposition has “no option” in the contest. “The other people have no option in this election. You are the only candidate for this election. I can say it informally: congratulations in advance,” he declared.

Yilwatda boasted about the political weight behind the governor.

The campaign council, he said, includes governors from all regions, the Senate President from the South-South, a South-West governor, the Kwara governor from North-Central, and leaders from the North-West, North-East, and South-East.

Speaking earlier, the Governor of Kaduna State, who doubles as the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for Ekiti said the council has set an ambitious target for the June 20, 2026 governorship election.

He said the party is aiming for a 500,000 vote margin for Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

Speaking at the council’s inauguration, the governor recalled Oyebanji’s 2022 victory where he scored 187,557 votes, defeating his closest rival by over 104,000 votes. He described the win as “a clear mandate from the people of Ekiti who embraced the transformative vision of the APC.

“Our goal for the upcoming election is ambitious yet achievable,” he declared, adding, “We are targeting an increase of over 100 per cent in votes for Governor Oyebanji, and a margin of no less than 500,000 votes over his closest rival. This symbolizes our commitment to amplify the voice of the people.”

He said the council has built effective campaign structures across all 16 local government areas and 177 wards in Ekiti.