More than one million eligible voters in Ekiti State are set to elect a new governor today. According to media reports, although the state has 1,059,360 registered voters according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), only 1,028,929 who have obtained their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are expected to determine the outcome of the election taking place across 2,445 polling units in the 16 local government areas of the state.
Though 15 political parties are participating in the poll, political observers believe the race will largely be driven by candidates of the leading parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord Party.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji is contesting on the APC platform, while Dr Wole Oluyede is the candidate of the PDP. Amb Dare Bejide is representing the ADC, while David Opeyemi Falegan is running under the Accord Party.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force have assured citizens that adequate measures have been put in place to guarantee a peaceful, credible and transparent election.
Both sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials have been distributed to all 16 local government areas, with security personnel assigned to escort and protect them to polling units.
Security agencies have equally intensified their presence across the state, especially in key locations and border communities, to prevent any breakdown of law and order during the exercise.
Meanwhile, the mood across Ekiti remained peaceful on the eve of the election, with many voters expressing their willingness to take part in the process.
In Ado-Ekiti, civil society organisations (CSOs) operating under the EU-SDGN Election Observation Hub urged INEC to ensure the prompt delivery of sensitive materials to facilitate the opening of polling units by 8:00am, as well as the proper configuration and testing of BVAS machines to prevent technical challenges.
The group, led by Dr Akin Akingbulu, Lanre Arogundade, Samson Itodo and other stakeholders, also appealed to political parties and candidates to fully comply with the peace accord and challenge election outcomes only through lawful means.
They further called for the elimination of vote buying, voter intimidation and the deployment of political thugs, while urging security agencies to remain impartial and professional throughout the electoral process.
“Security agencies should maintain neutrality and professionalism at all times by protecting the electoral process and stakeholders,” the group said.
The CSOs also advised journalists to verify information before publication to curb misinformation, while encouraging voters to come out in large numbers and arrive early at polling units to exercise their civic responsibilities.
Earlier, the commissioner of police in charge of election planning, monitoring and evaluation, Mr Abayomi Shogunle, stated that the police and other security agencies were fully ready for the exercise.
He explained that a multi-layered security arrangement approved by Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu had been activated, with personnel deployed to border communities connecting Ekiti with Osun and Ondo states to prevent the infiltration of criminal elements.
Shogunle warned against any attempt to undermine the process, adding that security agencies would operate strictly within the provisions of the constitution and the Electoral Act 2026.
