History beckons in Ekiti State today as 1,059,360 voters, armed with their Permanent Voter Cards, as Governor Biodun Oyebanji aims for history. No citizen of the state has ever won election as governor back-to-back. Only Mr. Ayodele Fayose and Dr. Kayode Fayemi have served two terms, but their reigns were interrupted by electoral defeats in between.
Twelve other political parties are on the card, challenging Oyebanji’s All Progressives Congress (APC). They include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under whose platform Fayose (2003 to 2006, 2014 to 2018) and Chief Segun Oni (2007 to 2009) won elections and governed the state. But the party has since become weakened by internal crisis over the years that it may pose no threat in the current election.
Also challenging is the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which shot into the national limelight in recent times with several high-profile politicians enlisting.
PDP is fielding Oluwole Oluyede Dare, while Dare Bejide is the candidate of the ADC.
Oyebanji is contesting on the strength of his performance over the last three years as governor, and he has the backing of the powers that be, not only in his political party but also in the opposition. All the past governors of the state, for instance, are rooting for him, irrespective of their political parties.
On several occasions, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) assured voters of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, and credible poll. On the eve of E-Day, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, urged eligible voters to participate confidently in the electoral process, stressing that the commission remains committed to delivering a transparent and impartial election.
He told Channels Television that the commission had resolved all logistical challenges and put in place adequate measures to ensure the timely deployment of personnel and election materials across the state.
He also highlighted the close collaboration between INEC and security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, noting that the partnership aims to ensure a peaceful and secure voting environment.
The REC further disclosed that the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) would be deployed during the election to enhance transparency by enabling real-time upload and public viewing of polling unit results.
A coalition of civil society organisations monitoring the election under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Election Observation Hub, however, expressed concern over reports of voter inducement, political intimidation, and disinformation ahead of the poll.
At a pre-election media conference, the group alleged that incidents of vote-buying involving cash, food items, and the collection of PVCs and National Identification Number details through pre-funded bank accounts had been reported in parts of Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ikole, Ikere, Ekiti East and Ekiti West Local Government Areas.
The observers also raised concerns over the spread of misinformation on social media, including unverified claims regarding the use of cloned PVCs to manipulate election outcomes.
While describing the overall security situation in the state as largely peaceful, the coalition urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to refrain from vote-buying, intimidation and the dissemination of false information.
The group also called on security agencies to remain professional and neutral throughout the electoral process, while encouraging voters to exercise their democratic rights freely and without fear, coercion or inducement.
The election will hold across the state’s 16 Local Government Areas across 2,445 polling units located in 177 wards. Voting is scheduled to commence at 8:30 am.
Authorities have also announced a statewide restriction on vehicular movement from midnight until 6 pm to facilitate the smooth conduct of the exercise.
INEC has confirmed the distribution of sensitive election materials to local government areas and assured voters of the readiness of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Security agencies have also deployed personnel and operational assets across the state, particularly in border communities and other strategic locations, to maintain law and order throughout the electoral process.
Civil society organisations monitoring the election have urged residents to participate peacefully and responsibly, emphasising the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the democratic process.
