CDD-West Africa Flags Vote Buying, Voter Apathy Ahead of Ekiti Guber Poll

By Joseph Sunday 

The Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa has released its pre-election assessment of the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election, describing the poll as a key test for Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed by the CDD Director, Dauda Garuba, and CDD-EAC Chair, Professor Victor Adetula, the Centre said the electoral environment in Ekiti remains largely peaceful with no widespread violence so far. But it raised red flags over voter apathy, vote buying, misinformation, hate speech, and the impact of economic hardship on voter turnout.

Incumbency and weak opposition:

CDD noted that Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the APC holds significant advantages going into the election, citing incumbency, strong political organisation, broad elite endorsements, and institutional presence. 

The Centre described the level of cross-party elite support for the governor as “unprecedented in Ekiti’s political history,” but warned it could weaken electoral competition. 

“While such political consensus may contribute to stability, it also raises important questions about the quality of electoral competition,” the statement read. “A healthy democracy requires not only peaceful elections but also credible alternatives.”

Opposition parties, CDD said, are struggling with internal divisions, weak structures, and poor coordination, reducing the competitiveness Ekiti elections are known for.

Economy and security concerns:

Economic hardship continues to dominate public discourse, with rising living costs, inflation, youth unemployment, and reduced purchasing power shaping voter sentiment. Security issues, including kidnapping and attacks in parts of the state, have also featured prominently in campaigns.

INEC and electoral integrity:

The Centre acknowledged INEC’s preparations, including voter education, PVC distribution, tech testing, and stakeholder engagement. 

It urged the commission to ensure timely deployment of personnel and materials, maintain contingency plans for tech failures, and guarantee BVAS and IReV functionality. 

Vote buying remains “one of the most significant threats to electoral integrity,” CDD warned, noting that economic hardship has made voters more vulnerable to inducement. It called on the EFCC, security agencies, and election officials to monitor and respond to electoral bribery.

Misinformation and inclusion:

Political actors were urged to avoid inflammatory rhetoric, hate speech, and misinformation that could erode public confidence. 

CDD also flagged the absence of female governorship candidates as evidence of structural barriers limiting women’s political participation.

The Centre appealed to Ekiti voters to participate peacefully, reject vote buying, verify information before sharing, and exercise their democratic rights responsibly.

“The credibility of the election will ultimately depend not only on the conduct of electoral institutions but also on the commitment of political actors and citizens to democratic values and electoral integrity,” the statement concluded.