Over 1m Voters To Determine Oyebanji, Others’ Fate Today

After weeks of campaigns and political manoeuvring, 1,028,929 eligible voters in Ekiti State will today head to the polls to elect a governor from among 13 candidates contesting the election.

The candidates are Opeyemi Falegan (Accord), Oluwasegun Akande (AAC), Oluwadare Bejide (ADC), Ojo Ayodeji (ADP), Olanrewaju Anifowose (APM), Biodun Oyebanji (APC), Dr Oluwole Oluyede (PDP), Olaiya Awogbemi (APP), Oyebanji Olajuyin (LP), Praise Ayodele (PRP), Damilola Adetunji (ZLP), Olusegun Osinkolu (YPP) and Blessing Abegunde (NNPP).

The APM candidate, Chief Joseph Anifowose, had stepped down and endorsed Governor Biodun Oyebanji for re-election, while the SDP is also backing the incumbent governor. Members and supporters of the Accord Party are reportedly supporting the PDP candidate, Dr Oluwole Oluyede.

Ahead of the poll, no fewer than 1,028,929 voters collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), representing 97.1 per cent of the state’s 1,059,360 registered voters.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed during a recent visit to the state that the number of registered voters increased from 987,647 to 1,059,360 following the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and subsequent clean-up of the voters’ register.

The election will be conducted across 2,445 polling units in 177 wards spread across the state’s 16 local government areas.

Police Restrictions

The Ekiti State Police Command on Friday announced restrictions on vehicular movement across the state from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. today as part of measures to ensure a peaceful and violence-free governorship election.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, the command said the restriction applies to all roads and highways within the state.

“This vehicular movement restriction is expected to prevent the movement of political thugs and other criminal elements who may attempt to disrupt the electoral process,” the statement said.

The police noted that students writing national examinations, designated INEC officials, accredited journalists, election observers, medical personnel and emergency responders would be exempted from the restriction.

The command also warned that VIPs would not be allowed to move with armed escorts to polling units and collation centres.

“The movement of VIPs with armed escorts or security aides to polling units and collation centres is strictly discouraged and will not be allowed,” the statement added.

It further barred vigilante groups and other quasi-security outfits from providing security services during the election.

“Only officers and personnel of security agencies that are members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) are permitted to provide security in and around designated election facilities.”

The police warned that anyone found violating the directive or attempting to undermine the electoral process would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, CP Abayomi Shogunle, urged voters to come out peacefully and exercise their franchise, assuring residents of adequate security before, during and after the poll.

Sensitive Material Deployed

Sensitive election materials were on Thursday moved from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Ado-Ekiti under the supervision of INEC officials led by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi.

The sorting and distribution exercise was monitored by security agencies, election observers, civil society organisations and media representatives before the materials were escorted to the various local government areas.

Security Presence Heightens 

Security personnel drafted for the election, including operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Immigration Service, have been deployed across the state.

Recall that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 10,000 personnel across Ekiti State to provide security during the forthcoming governorship election.

The Corps said the deployment was in line with its statutory responsibility to ensure a peaceful, credible and violence-free electoral process.

According to a statement on Wednesday signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, the personnel were drawn from several state commands, including Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Ogun and Kogi, as well as operational reinforcements from Zones 11 and 6.

As of Friday evening, security operatives were already manning strategic locations in Ado-Ekiti and major highways linking the state with Kogi, Kwara, Ondo and Osun states.

Flashpoints Identified

INEC, through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), identified between 469 and 500 polling units as vulnerable areas requiring additional security deployment.

Yiaga Africa also expressed concern over potential flashpoints in Ado-Ekiti, Ikole, Oye, Ikere, Ilejemeje and Moba local government areas, citing security concerns and recent kidnapping incidents that could affect voter confidence and movement.

CSOs Task Stakeholders

The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Election Observation Hub urged INEC, political parties, security agencies, the media and voters to conduct themselves responsibly and ensure a credible election.

The group, comprising the Kukah Centre, TAF Africa, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Yiaga Africa, International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), called on INEC to ensure timely deployment of election materials and seamless electronic transmission of results.

“Guarantee the seamless electronic transmission of validated polling unit results in real time as stipulated in the Electoral Act 2026 and announce results in a transparent and timely manner at all levels,” the group stated.

The coalition urged political parties to respect the Peace Accord and avoid violence, intimidation and vote-buying.

“We call on political parties and candidates to condemn all acts of vote trading and vote-buying, shun the use of thuggery and refrain from spreading fake news, misinformation and disinformation capable of inciting violence.”

The group also urged security agencies to remain neutral and professional throughout the election, while advising the media to verify information before publication and avoid reporting unofficial results.

Yiaga Africa described the election as significant because it would be the first governorship election conducted under the Electoral Act 2026.

Its Chairperson for the 2026 Ekiti Election Observation Mission, Aisha Abdullahi, noted concerns about inclusion in the electoral process.

“Notably, no candidate publicly identifies as a person with disabilities. This raises serious concerns about the persistence of exclusion in political recruitment and candidate nomination.”

Yiaga Africa also warned that vote-buying remained a major threat to the integrity of the election.

“Vote-buying remains one of the most significant threats to the integrity of the election that political actors across party lines may exploit,” the group stated.

Media Urged To Remain Professional

The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) urged journalists covering the election to remain professional and prioritise their safety.

IPC Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, said journalists must avoid actions that could compromise their neutrality.

“Journalists are expected to be non-partisan. Being partisan is not only about being a member of a political party but also includes the use of expressions, symbols and colours that identify with a political party or personality.”

He also advised journalists to display their accreditation and identification tags at all times to avoid unnecessary harassment by security personnel.

Similarly, CEMESO Executive Director, Dr Akin Akingbulu, stressed the importance of ensuring a safe working environment for journalists covering the election.

Stakeholders Seek Peaceful Poll

Meanwhile, a coalition of electoral stakeholders under the auspices of the New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD) and the Youth Electoral Reform Project (YERP-Naija) called on INEC, security agencies, political actors and voters to uphold transparency, integrity and peaceful conduct during the election.

The stakeholders expressed concern over vote-buying, voter apathy and declining public confidence in elections, urging INEC to strictly comply with provisions of the Electoral Act, particularly electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

They also called on voters, especially young people, to participate actively in the election and reject vote trading.

The stakeholders expressed optimism that adherence to electoral laws and guidelines would enhance public confidence and contribute to a free, fair and credible governorship election in Ekiti State.