CP Assures Security for Media, NYSC, Observers in Ekiti Election

By Joseph Sunday 

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Ekiti State Governorship Election, CP Abayomi Shogunle has assured journalists and other key groups of adequate security arrangements ahead of the Ekiti election. 

Speaking on election security, CP Shogunle said provision has been made to protect journalists covering the polls. While dedicated patrol vehicles cannot be permanently assigned to every media team due to the need to respond to distress calls and emergencies, security personnel will accompany journalists wherever necessary.

“We have identified journalists as one of the groups requiring additional security measures,” Shogunle stated. Other groups covered under the special security arrangements include National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed for the election, local and foreign election observers, monitors, INEC Officials and members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

On electoral offences, the CP Shogunle cited the 2026 Electoral Act, which criminalizes vote trading. 

He stressed that both vote buyers and sellers are liable under the law. Members of the public who witness vote buying or selling are urged to alert security operatives, who will arrest suspects, recover evidence, investigate, and prosecute offenders.

To curb ballot box snatching and related violence, the police have introduced several measures. These include a restriction on vehicular movement on election day, with only exempted categories allowed to move by car, motorcycle, or other means. Police personnel will also be deployed to strategic locations to intercept troublemakers moving to or from polling units.

Addressing concerns about the security of electoral materials and vulnerable areas, Shogunle dismissed fears of unescorted movement of materials. “Anyone attempting to move around with electoral materials without escorts knows what would likely happen,” he said, referencing his experience overseeing the November election in Anambra State, where no ballot box snatching was recorded.

The CP confirmed that police officers will be stationed overnight at Registration Area Centres (RACs) alongside INEC officials and ad hoc staff. Escort and guard officers, along with those assigned to polling units, will sleep at the RACs to ensure early joint deployment to polling units.

“We are putting everything in place to ensure nothing disrupts the process. Our goal is to arrive at polling units early, set up on time, and ensure voting commences by 8:30 a.m.,” Shogunle assured.