Group to secure 1.5 million votes for Oyebanji in Ekiti governorship poll

The South West Independent Campaign Movement (SWICAM) says it is mobilising to secure 1.5 million votes for Biodun Oyebanji ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti State.

In a statement issued after its maiden congress in Ado-Ekiti, the group said the target would be driven by a non-partisan strategy designed to reach voters across all 177 wards in the state.

The statement was signed by the group’s national coordinator, Suleiman Olubayo, and Fred Ojinika.

Group deploys grassroots mobilisation strategy

According to SWICAM, volunteers, mostly young people, have been deployed to engage residents at the grassroots level using information, education, and communication materials.

The group noted that with a population of over four million people, Ekiti has the capacity to deliver 1.5 million votes for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It added that its mobilisation efforts cut across key demographic groups, including teachers, farmers, students, traders, professionals, and community leaders, as part of a broader push to increase voter turnout.

Traditional rulers, non-indigenes targeted in outreach

Beyond grassroots engagement, the group said it plans to reach 151 traditional rulers across the state while deploying targeted communication materials to different segments of the population, including non-indigenes.

It explained that the initiative is aimed at reshaping voter behaviour in the south-west by leveraging non-party volunteers to drive participation.

“We are set to change the voting culture in the south-west by using non-party volunteers to mobilise the people,” the statement said.

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Campaign aims to address voter apathy

SWICAM said the mobilisation drive forms part of a wider effort to tackle voter apathy in the region, which it argued has the potential to deliver between 15 and 20 million votes if effectively engaged.

The group added that the campaign is being led by non-party actors to encourage democratic participation, sustain power rotation to the south, and support ongoing governance reforms.

It also warned against a return to opposition parties, arguing that such a shift could negatively impact the country’s political and economic trajectory.

Stakeholders call for deeper voter engagement

Speaking at the congress, Adewale Adeoye criticised political parties for relying heavily on rallies and entertainment, rather than meaningful voter engagement.

He emphasised that effective mobilisation requires structured grassroots outreach, clear messaging, and sustained interaction with community-based organisations and professional groups.

Adeoye also pointed to systemic challenges, including inadequate polling units and the absence of e-voting, urging authorities to improve access to voting centres to boost participation.