APC promises peaceful campaigns in Ekiti and Osun elections

The All Progressives Congress has promised to run peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the coming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.

This pledge came as the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, announced that the United Kingdom will send observers to monitor both elections.

The pledge was made during a courtesy visit by the High Commissioner to the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday. Both sides talked about the need for credible elections to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and improve its global image.

APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, who welcomed the High Commissioner, said Nigeria’s stability is important not just for Africa but for the whole world.

"We welcome you to our party secretariat. Nigeria is strategic not just to Africa but to the entire world. The stability of Nigeria is important to both Africa and Europe. Any instability in Nigeria will have far-reaching consequences across the continent. Therefore, we must all work together to support the stability and progress of our country," he said.

Yilwatda urged foreign partners to keep supporting democratic institutions in Nigeria. He noted that Nigeria has a big influence on the continent.

"We want our foreign partners to continue supporting democratic institutions in Nigeria. Many African countries draw strength from Nigeria’s leadership and stability, and we must continue to strengthen our democratic processes for the benefit of our people and the continent," the statement read.

The APC chairman talked about the party’s recent internal elections. He said over 6,000 members took part in the primaries at different levels, with only a few petitions raised.

"We had more than 6,000 party members participate in our primaries across different levels, and less than three percent of the outcomes generated petitions. This demonstrates that the process was largely peaceful, transparent and widely accepted," he said.

Yilwatda said the APC is a model for political parties in the country. He stated, "We are the reference point for other political parties. They observe our processes and often replicate our innovations and practices. This places a great responsibility on us to continue setting high standards for internal democracy and political conduct."

As for the upcoming elections, the chairman was clear about the party’s strategy.

"On Ekiti and Osun, we are discussing issues, not sentiments. We are very conscious of the need to avoid actions that could destabilize any part of the country. Our focus is to ensure that both states remain peaceful and stable before, during and after the elections," he added.

He also praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms. He said, "The President is working towards achieving a one-trillion-dollar economy while investing heavily in critical infrastructure that will secure Nigeria’s economic future. As a party, we are committed to sustaining these reforms and ensuring that the gains are consolidated for future generations."

The British High Commissioner stated that the UK’s decision to send observers shows how important these elections are. They are the last off-cycle governorship polls before the 2027 general elections.

Montgomery highlighted that the UK respects Nigeria’s sovereignty but is very interested in Nigeria’s democratic and economic growth. He said Nigeria’s size and influence mean that what happens here matters a lot to the UK, which has strong economic, financial, and security interests linked to Nigeria’s stability and democratic progress.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has set the date for the Ekiti State governorship election for Saturday, June 20, 2026, while the Osun State governorship election is planned for Saturday, August 8, 2026.