KDI Begin Training On Election Violence, Campaign Finance Tracking In Ekiti

By Joseph Sunday

The Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) has commenced a training programme for community-based monitors and media practitioners in Ekiti State to strengthen electoral integrity through the monitoring of election violence and political campaign financing.

The two-day training, supported by UK International Development, takes place at the Delight Hotel in Ado-Ekiti, and focuses on improving early warning systems during forthcoming Ekiti State governorship pre-election period.

Speaking at the programme, the Programme Officer of KDI, Barrister Bunmi Eyelade, said the organisation trains selected individuals across the state to systematically collect verifiable information on developments within the election environment.

According to her, the initiative concentrates on the pre-election phase by gathering real-time data from communities to generate early warning signals that can help improve the conduct of elections.

Eyelade explained that credible elections depend on the active involvement of key stakeholders, including election management bodies, security agencies, and both national and international observers, who rely on accurate and timely information to prepare and respond effectively.

She said KDI supports the electoral process by collecting and analysing community-level data that reflects the realities on ground.

The programme, she added, equips participants with the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to objectively document developments in their communities.

On participation, Eyelade disclosed that the long-term monitoring exercise involves 45 trained community residents and 10 media practitioners.

She noted that the community monitors are residents of the local government areas they report from, ensuring first-hand and locally grounded information.

She stressed that the monitoring process is evidence-based and focused on verifiable developments rather than assumptions or speculations.

Eyelade also identified political campaign financing as a major focus of the programme, noting that while allegations of excessive campaign spending are common during elections, they are often not supported by concrete data.

According to her, the monitoring covers visible and measurable campaign expenditures such as billboards, radio and television advertisements, campaign materials, branded items, and other publicly observable spending.

She said this method makes it possible to assess whether political actors comply with constitutionally stipulated campaign spending limits.

Eyelade concluded that although money plays a significant role in elections, ensuring transparency and accountability in campaign financing remains critical to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.