Ekiti voters are expected to elect a new governor from among candidates representing 13 political parties contesting across the state’s 16 local government areas, 177 wards, and over 2,000 polling units
KaNo —
With just two days to the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, security agencies, electoral officials, and civil society organisations have ramped up preparations for one of Nigeria’s most closely watched off-cycle elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to commence the movement of sensitive election materials to all 16 local government areas of the state on Thursday, marking a critical phase in the election timetable.
At the same time, security agencies have activated extensive deployment and coordination plans aimed at ensuring a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process.
The heightened activity comes amid growing political interest in the election, which is widely regarded as a key indicator of political momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ekiti voters are expected to elect a new governor from among candidates representing 13 political parties contesting across the state’s 16 local government areas, 177 wards, and over 2,000 polling units.
Speaking on preparations, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, confirmed that the commission would begin distributing sensitive materials, including ballot papers, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, and voter registers, to the local government areas.
“We have done most of the things we need to do,” Omoseyindemi said
He added that non-sensitive materials had already been distributed across the state and assured stakeholders that all logistics arrangements had been carefully finalised to ensure a smooth voting process.
According to him, voting will commence promptly at designated polling units, with measures in place to guarantee transparency and credibility throughout the exercise.
The movement of sensitive materials is a crucial stage in election preparations and is expected to be closely monitored by political parties, election observers, and security agencies to prevent tampering or logistical lapses.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Air Force disclosed that the airlift operation was carried out between June 15 and 16 following a formal request from INEC.
Ejodame explained that the operation was designed to guarantee the secure and efficient transportation of election materials from Abuja to designated locations nationwide.
He noted that the airlift covered not only the Ekiti governorship election but also several by-elections scheduled to take place on the same day in different parts of the country.
These include senatorial by-elections in Enugu North Senatorial District of Enugu State, Nasarawa North Senatorial District of Nasarawa State, and Rivers South-East Senatorial District of Rivers State, as well as federal constituency by-elections in Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency of Kano State and Zuru/Shanga Federal Constituency of Kebbi State.
“Leveraging its strategic airlift capabilities, the Nigerian Air Force transported the sensitive electoral materials from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to designated airports in Enugu, Rivers, and Kano States, ensuring that INEC received the materials within the stipulated timeline ahead of the elections,” Ejodame said.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, commended personnel involved in the operation, describing the successful airlift as a demonstration of the military’s commitment to supporting democratic processes.
“The successful airlift underscores the Service’s unwavering commitment to supporting democratic institutions and national development,” he said.
He reiterated that the Air Force would continue to provide assistance to civil authorities whenever required, adding that the collaboration with INEC reflects a longstanding partnership aimed at ensuring credible elections in Nigeria.
As electoral materials begin to arrive in Ekiti State, security agencies have simultaneously intensified efforts to maintain law and order throughout the election period.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed no fewer than 10,000 personnel across the state, while the Nigeria Police Force has activated a comprehensive security framework to safeguard voters, election officials, and materials.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the governorship election, Mr. Abayomi Shogunle, has already assumed duty and commenced the implementation of election security protocols approved by the Inspector-General of Police.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Ekiti State, Mr. Sunday Abutu, disclosed that the operational measures include intelligence gathering, strategic deployment, and inter-agency coordination under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
According to Abutu, the police have intensified intelligence mapping to identify and neutralise potential threats such as political violence, cult-related activities, thuggery, and misinformation campaigns.
“The protocols are towards ensuring adequate provision of security and robust collaboration with sister security agencies and election stakeholders,” he said.
He further explained that the police have put in place arrangements for the secure movement of electoral materials and personnel engaged by INEC, as well as a centralised operational framework to enable rapid response to any security incidents.
This framework, he noted, will facilitate joint deployments and coordinated action among various security agencies operating in the state.
In addition to security measures, civil society organisations and election observers are also stepping up efforts to monitor the process and ensure compliance with electoral guidelines.
The constitution of the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal by the Court of Appeal has also added another layer of preparedness, providing a legal framework for addressing any disputes that may arise from the election.
Observers say the combination of logistical readiness, security deployment, and legal safeguards reflects lessons learned from previous elections and demonstrates a concerted effort to strengthen the integrity of the electoral process.
Despite these preparations, stakeholders have continued to call for vigilance, urging political actors and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and respect the outcome of the election.
As the countdown to election day continues, attention remains focused on Ekiti State, where voters will determine the next phase of leadership in a contest that carries significant implications for the country’s broader political landscape.
