No fewer than 13 political parties contesting the June 20, 2026, governorship election in Ekiti State signed a peace agreement yesterday, committing to lasting peace before, during, and after the polls. Among the signatories was the current governor and All Progressives Congress candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, who pledged the state's dedication to peace.
Peace Accord Facilitated by NPC and INEC
The agreement, facilitated by the National Peace Committee in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission, was attended by security agencies and political stakeholders. INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan warned parties against violence and electoral misconduct, stressing that the accord must go beyond ceremonial signing to practical adherence. He noted Ekiti's reputation for political awareness and calm during elections, urging stakeholders to maintain this standard.
INEC Preparations Underway
Amupitan highlighted that after successfully managing pre-election tensions during the Anambra off-cycle governorship election in November 2025, the Commission is determined to replicate that mechanism for Ekiti. Preparations span the state's 16 local councils, 177 registration areas, and 2,445 polling units, with over one million registered voters expected. Logistics deployment and stakeholder engagement, including security agencies and transport providers, are already in progress.
Security Agencies on Alert
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu warned against violence, voter intimidation, and other electoral offences, stating that security agencies are fully prepared to ensure a safe environment. National Peace Committee Chairman and former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, represented by Martin Agwai, emphasized that peace is a shared responsibility and democracy thrives only in a peaceful atmosphere.
Civil Society Raises Funding Concerns
Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organizations under the Election Observation Hub expressed concerns over INEC's preparedness, noting that the state office has yet to receive election funding weeks before the polls. During a media briefing in Abuja under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II programme, the group urged INEC to release funds immediately for pre-election activities, including rehabilitation of offices and collation centres. They also called for configuration and stress tests of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal, as well as activation of the INEC Security and Alert Notification System for rapid response.
