Ekiti June 20 Election: IPC, CEMESO to Deploy 32 Media Observers  

By Joseph Sunday  

The International Press Centre (IPC), in collaboration with the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), will deploy 32 media observers for the Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled for June 20, 2026, across the state’s 16 local government areas.  

In a joint address, IPC Executive Director Lanre Arogundade and CEMESO Executive Director Dr. Akin Akingbulu said two observers will be assigned to each local government area for the election.  

Speaking to the 32 observers, Arogundade noted that Ekiti is the second state where both organizations will conduct this European Union-funded training to prepare journalists for election day coverage. Anambra State was the first beneficiary, he added.  

He urged the selected journalists to consider themselves fortunate and advised them to focus on issues affecting the digital space during the workshop. 

He also cautioned against the use of hate speech in election reporting.  

For his part, Dr. Akingbulu said the workshop would address potential attacks journalists may face in the field on election day, and outline measures to prevent or reduce such risks. 

He urged reporters covering the election to remain vigilant and report any abuse of journalists.  

During the technical sessions, CEMESO Programme Manager Timothy Bamidele and IPC Project Manager Sanmi Falobi introduced participants to technology applications designed to support observers on election day.  

The sessions also refreshed participants on the purpose of election monitoring, with emphasis on the differences and similarities between misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.