The All Progressives Congress has appointed the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, to head the re-election campaign of Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, governor of Ekiti State, ahead of the June 18, 2026 governorship election.
The ruling party announced the development on Thursday with the unveiling of a 57-member high-powered campaign council tasked with coordinating activities for the governor’s second-term bid.
Among those named in the campaign council are the Chairman of the Ekiti State chapter of the APC, Mr. Sola Elesin, while the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo, will serve as Secretary of the council.
Other prominent members include Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Adeyemi Adaramodu; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Services, Cyril Fasuyi; Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; and former Deputy Governor of the state, Biodun Olujimi, among other political stakeholders across the state.
In a statement issued by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Thursday, Bamidele described his appointment as both a rare privilege and a significant responsibility.
“I consider this appointment a rare privilege and a great responsibility placed on me by the leadership of our great party,” Bamidele said.
“I am deeply grateful to the leadership of the APC for entrusting me with this assignment, and I assure them that I will work closely with members of the campaign council, the Ekiti State chapter of our party and the national secretariat to ensure a smooth and successful re-election for Governor Oyebanji.”
Bamidele expressed confidence that the forthcoming governorship election would serve as a referendum on the performance of the Oyebanji administration over the past 40 months.
“Ultimately, the election will be a referendum on the administration of Governor Oyebanji and the remarkable progress recorded under his leadership in the last 40 months,” he said.
He noted that the state had experienced a period of political cohesion, peace and stability since the governor assumed office, adding that the administration had embraced an inclusive style of governance.
“Governor Oyebanji has provided transformative leadership that accommodates the interests of all, regardless of their political and religious affiliation,” Bamidele stated.
“His administration has fostered unity, strengthened political cohesion and ensured peace and stability across Ekiti State.”
The Senate Leader argued that granting the governor another term would enable him to consolidate ongoing development initiatives and complete several projects designed to improve the welfare of residents.
“Giving him another mandate will allow him to consolidate on the progress already made and complete the development programmes initiated for the benefit of Ekiti people,” he added.
The June 18 governorship election is expected to test the strength of the APC in Ekiti State as the ruling party moves to retain control of the state government while the opposition prepares to challenge its dominance.
