Impressive Ado-Ekiti Rally Showcases Party Unity, Geopolitical Strength and Grassroots Mobilisation Ahead of 2027 General Elections
ADO-EKITI | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2026
The All Progressives Congress (APC) continued its nationwide campaign mobilisation on Thursday with an impressive, well-attended rally in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, bringing together Vice President Kashim Shettima, serving governors, former governors, National Assembly leaders and thousands of enthusiastic party supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Vice President Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, led the high-powered delegation to the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, where the ruling party showcased its political structures and presented its candidates, from the President to those contesting National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.
The gathering formed part of the APC’s expanding state-by-state campaign programme, designed to communicate the achievements of the Renewed Hope administration, consolidate grassroots support and mobilise voters for the party’s candidates across elective positions.
The Ekiti State Government reported that the 12,000-capacity pavilion was filled with supporters, political stakeholders, women, youths and party members.
Among the prominent political figures present were former Ekiti State Governors Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose and Dr Kayode Fayemi; Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa; and Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
Also attending were APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Presidential Campaign Council Director-General Senator Abdulaziz Yari, senior party officials and other political stakeholders.
EKITI POLITICAL LEADERS DEMONSTRATE UNITY
One of the most notable features of the rally was the convergence of prominent political figures previously associated with different parties and political interests.
Former Governor Ayodele Fayose joined other former governors at the gathering, while governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party and Allied Peoples Movement in the June 2026 Ekiti election publicly declared their support for President Tinubu.
Governor Oyebanji described the gathering as evidence of growing political unity in Ekiti State, attributing the cooperation among political stakeholders to reconciliation efforts and the administration’s development interventions.
The Governor also highlighted federal road projects, education initiatives and other investments, expressing confidence that Ekiti voters would support the APC in the forthcoming elections.
SHETTIMA SHOWCASES TINUBU’S REFORM AGENDA
Addressing the gathering on behalf of President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to economic restructuring, infrastructure development, education, electricity supply and improved opportunities for Nigerians.
He acknowledged the sacrifices associated with the administration’s economic reforms while maintaining that the policies were intended to establish a stronger foundation for sustainable national development.
Among the interventions highlighted were ongoing road projects connecting Ado-Ekiti with Akure and other communities, the establishment of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin-Ekiti, student loans through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and electricity infrastructure improvements.
Shettima also referenced agricultural support programmes, educational investments and measures intended to strengthen economic opportunities within the state.
The Vice President emphasised that the administration was returning to the electorate to account for its achievements, explain ongoing projects and seek a renewed mandate.
APC CHAIRMAN PRESENTS CANDIDATES ACROSS ELECTIVE POSITIONS
APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda used the occasion to present President Tinubu and the party’s candidates for legislative elections, stressing the importance of coordinated political mobilisation.
He described President Tinubu as a reformer whose administration had introduced policies intended to strengthen the economy, improve public institutions and expand opportunities for citizens.
Yilwatda highlighted the administration’s tax reforms, explaining that the revised framework was designed to reduce unnecessary tax burdens on low-income earners and small businesses.
He also cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, including the monthly upkeep allowance available to eligible beneficiaries, as an example of the government’s intervention in expanding educational access.
The APC chairman urged supporters to consider the party’s candidates for the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly alongside the President, arguing that legislative cooperation would support implementation of the administration’s development agenda.
CAMPAIGN MOBILISATION INTENSIFIES ACROSS STATES
The Ekiti rally followed continuing APC political activities across the federation, including grassroots mobilisation in Nasarawa State and other geopolitical locations.
The party’s campaign approach combines appearances by national leaders with state-level political organisation, local stakeholder engagement and public communication of government programmes.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who coordinates the South-West presidential campaign, joined other governors and party leaders in the mobilisation exercise.
APC leaders have announced ambitious electoral targets, including securing approximately 90 per cent of votes cast in Ekiti State for President Tinubu and substantial support across the South-West.
These figures represent campaign objectives rather than measured voter intentions.
The participation of serving governors, former governors, legislative leaders and opposition figures supporting the President also highlighted the role of political alliances in the party’s preparations for 2027.
For the APC, the continuing campaign programme provides opportunities to explain its policy record, address public concerns and introduce candidates to voters.
The Ado-Ekiti gathering demonstrated the scale of the party’s organised campaign activity, while the ultimate electoral outcome will depend on voters’ assessments of candidates, government performance and competing political programmes.
NATIONAL PATRIOTS COMMENTARY
The National Patriots commend the APC’s expanding geopolitical reach and impressive grassroots mobilisation, showcasing President Tinubu’s reform achievements and the administration’s commitment to addressing Nigerians’ economic hardship. These nationwide engagements provide opportunities to clarify misconceptions, counter opposition propaganda with facts, strengthen public confidence and communicate the Renewed Hope agenda while consolidating the party’s nationwide political structures ahead of 2027.
Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser, MFR, MBA, MIoD, FIPMD
President, National Patriots
Member, APC-PCC Strategic Communications Committee 2027
