APC promises peaceful elections in Ekiti and Osun

The All Progressives Congress has promised to run peaceful and issue-focused campaigns for the upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.

This came as the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, said the United Kingdom would send observers to watch both elections.

The commitments were made during a visit by the High Commissioner to the APC’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday. Both sides talked about how important credible elections are for Nigeria’s democracy and its reputation globally.

APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, welcomed the High Commissioner. He said Nigeria’s stability is very important for both Africa and the world.

"We welcome you to our party secretariat. Nigeria is key not just to Africa but to the entire world. The stability of Nigeria matters to both Africa and Europe. Any problems in Nigeria can affect the whole continent. Therefore, we must work together to support the stability and progress of our country," he stated.

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

"We want our foreign partners to keep supporting democratic institutions in Nigeria. Many African countries rely on Nigeria’s leadership and stability, and we need to strengthen our democratic processes for the good of our people and the continent," he added.

The APC chairman also spoke about the party’s recent democratic processes. He said over 6,000 members took part in the primaries, 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 shows that the process was mostly peaceful, transparent, and widely accepted," he said.

Yilwatda described the APC as a model for political parties in Nigeria. He said, "We are the reference point for other political parties. They watch our processes and often copy our innovations and practices. This puts a great responsibility on us to keep setting high standards for democracy and political behavior."

When discussing the upcoming elections, the chairman was clear about the party’s stance.

"On Ekiti and Osun, we are discussing issues, not emotions. We are aware of the need to avoid actions that could disturb any part of the country. Our focus is to make sure that both states stay peaceful and stable before, during, and after the elections," he added.

He also praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic plans. He said, "The President is working towards a one-trillion-dollar economy while investing heavily in key infrastructure to secure Nigeria’s economic future. As a party, we are committed to sustaining these reforms and making sure the benefits last for future generations."

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

Montgomery stressed that the UK respects Nigeria’s sovereignty but is deeply committed to Nigeria’s democratic and economic growth. He said Nigeria’s size and influence mean that what happens there is very important to the UK, which has significant economic, financial, and security interests tied to Nigeria's stability and democratic progress.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has set the Ekiti State governorship election for Saturday, June 20, 2026, while the Osun State governorship election will take place on Saturday, August 8, 2026.