Ekiti 2026: ADC Chair Demands Voter Protection as Police Say ‘Facts, Not Sentiments’ Will Decide Cases  

By Joseph Sunday

With Ekiti State’s 2026 off-cycle gubernatorial election approaching, tensions between public distrust and law enforcement’s insistence on evidence came into focus at a Multi-Stakeholder Roundtable on Legal Compliance and Electoral Integrity held on Tuesday. 

The event, convened in Ado-Ekiti by civic groups NIGAWD and the South West Secretariat of YERP-Naija, brought political actors, security officials, and civil society together to address concerns ahead of the poll.

Voter Safety in the Spotlight:

The Ekiti State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Ilesanmi Omolayo challenged political stakeholders on accountability and party unity. 

He described a climate of public disconnection, saying many citizens feel abandoned by democratic processes.

Omolayo pressed parties to show they represent the people, not “repeat old failures.” His sharpest focus was grassroots protection, referencing past reports of intimidation and arrests during local elections.

His question to security agencies was pointed: “How are we going to get the people that are coming from the infancy of the local election to feel safe?” He demanded clarity on who safeguards voters and how electoral laws will be enforced in practice.

Police: ‘Bring Evidence, Not Sentiments’:

Responding, Ekiti State Police PRO, SP Abutu Sunday stressed that prosecutions require proof, not public opinion. “The law does not work with sentiments. It works with facts,” he said.

SP Abutu explained that past vote-buying cases collapsed in court because complainants and witnesses failed to provide statements or evidence. Without video, testimony, or documentation, he noted, arrests cannot secure convictions. 

He urged citizens and CSOs to document offenses: “If you accuse someone of vote buying, stand somewhere and provide evidence.”

Security Assurances:

On election security, SP Abutu assured residents of joint deployments with the military and mobile police units. 

He confirmed that standby response teams are in place to tackle breaches swiftly. “You are safe. We have our standby teams ready to respond,” he stated, calling for collective effort to ensure a peaceful poll.

The Gap to Bridge for 2026:

The roundtable underscored two competing demands. Citizens want tangible protection and political accountability beyond campaign rhetoric. Law enforcement wants concrete evidence and civic follow-through to convert arrests into convictions. 

Stakeholders agreed that bridging that gap will be critical to electoral integrity in 2026.