The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a peaceful and credible governorship election in Ekiti State on 20 June 2026, warning against vote buying, political thuggery, and fake news.
At a high-level meeting in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, INEC and the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) reviewed preparations and agreed on stronger inter-agency coordination ahead of the poll.
Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said INEC had intensified voter education, logistics planning, training of personnel, and engagement with political parties, traditional rulers, civil society, and the media. He identified vote buying, political violence, fake news, transportation challenges, and insecurity in remote areas as key threats to the process.
“Stronger collaboration, professionalism, neutrality, and rapid response mechanisms among ICCES members will be crucial to addressing the challenges and sustaining public confidence,” Omoseyindemi said.
Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Michael, stressed the need for coordinated intelligence sharing and operational synergy. He warned against misinformation and non-compliance with electoral laws, adding that security agencies were committed to maintaining law and order before, during, and after the election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), said preparations had advanced with the configuration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and recruitment of ad-hoc staff through the INECPRES portal. He said Permanent Voter Cards from the Continuous Voter Registration exercise would soon be distributed across the state’s 177 wards.
Amupitan disclosed that risk assessments had identified flashpoints vulnerable to thuggery, kidnapping, cultism, ballot snatching, and vandalism. A total of 469 polling units within 500 metres of the risk zones have been mapped for special security attention.
He also warned against vote buying, stating that INEC was working with the EFCC and ICPC to arrest and prosecute offenders involved in electoral inducement.
Dr. Ken Ukeagu, National Commissioner in charge of Planning, Monitoring and Strategy, said risk management assessments in April provided insights into potential threats. He recommended increased patrols in border communities and stronger collaboration at the local government level.
The meeting is part of INEC’s readiness assessment ahead of the Ekiti governorship election, tagged #EkitiDecides2026.
