Ekiti APC unveils new campaign strategy ahead of polls
The Court of Appeal, Akure Division, has affirmed the validity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election in Ekiti State, which produced Dr Wole Oluyede as the party’s governorship candidate.

In a unanimous decision, the three-man appellate panel, led by Justice Peter Chudi Obiorah, alongside Justices Jane Esienanwan Inyang and Peter O. Affen, set aside the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court.

The judges held that the primary election conducted by the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) was valid, transparent, and complied with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

The court dismissed Ayeni’s claim on the grounds that the primary election that produced Oluyede complied with all the Electoral Acts and was in compliance with the party’s constitution.

It held that in line with INEC guidelines and timetables, what the petitioner asked for had been overtaken by events because there is no longer a window for the conduct of the primary election.

The court also ruled that Ayeni, the litigant, did not exhaust the internal conflict-resolution mechanism of his own party before rushing to court.

Reacting, the PDP welcomed the judgment and commended the courage of the judiciary despite alleged pressures to do otherwise.

The South-West Publicity Secretary and Director of Media and Publicity for the PDP 2026 Governorship Campaign Council, Sanya Atofarati, described the judgment as a welcome development.

In another development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has said that it will deviate from the usual jamboree-style campaigns and devise a robust drive to achieve its goal.

According to the APC State Chairman, Sola Elesin, the party would soon inaugurate campaign councils across the state to mark the launch of the robust campaign drive ahead of the June 20 governorship election.

In a statement in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, Elesin said that the campaign “will involve intra-unit, intra-ward, and intra-local council engagements, deviating from the usual jamboree-style campaigns.”

He also added that the party had set a bold target of securing a minimum of 95 per cent of total votes across the state.

Elesin, therefore, stressed the need for increased sensitisation and membership canvassing to help build on the party’s momentum.

Also speaking, APC State Secretary, Garba Arogundade, said, “The message from the grassroots is clear – Governor Oyebanji remains the man for the job and the party is poised to ensure this through a landslide victory come June 20.

“What we saw was a groundswell of support for the Oyebanji administration, with many expressing gratitude for his efforts in driving development and progress across the state.”