Ekiti Stakeholders Call For Peaceful Governorship Election

By Kemi Folarin  

Stakeholders in Ekiti State have renewed calls for a peaceful, credible governorship election, urging political actors, security agencies, and citizens to reject violence and uphold electoral laws.

The call was made during a one-day policy dialogue on electoral offences and consequence management held in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday at the Delight Hotel and Suites. 

The forum brought together representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agencies, traditional institutions, political parties, civil society organizations, and the media.

The Convener of the One Day Policy Dialogue on Electoral Offences, Consequences Management and Peaceful Governorship Election, the Executive Director of Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, Chief Ezenwa Nwagwu, said the dialogue was designed to foster inclusive discussions on electoral offences and their consequences. 

He noted that elections in Nigeria are often trailed by complaints, especially from losing parties, due to a lack of accountability.

Professor of Political Science, Shola Omotola, stressed the need to hold offenders accountable. “People have not been held accountable for their actions and inactions in the past,” he stressed. 

He called on all stakeholders, including INEC, security agencies, CSOs, traditional rulers, the judiciary, and labor unions, to play their roles in ensuring sanity in the electoral process.

Professor Ibiyinka Ogunlade, another resource person at the one day event, on her own part linked peaceful elections to food security, observing that insecurity in parts of the state has kept farmers from their farms, thereby affecting food supply.

The Ekiti Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, assured participants that INEC is collaborating with relevant stakeholders to ensure a peaceful poll. 

He said special attention is being given to voters with peculiar needs and that voter education efforts are being expanded across local government areas.

The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael represented by the officer in charge of the Intelligence in the Command, reaffirmed the readiness of the Force to maintain law and order. 

He warned that anyone involved in electoral malpractice or violence would face the full weight of the law and cautioned youths against being used as political thugs.

The Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, praised recent youth empowerment initiatives in agriculture, ICT, and small-scale enterprises. 

He said idleness remains a major driver of electoral violence and called for sustained collaboration to engage young people productively.

Inter-Party Advisory Council Chairman in Ekiti, Mr. Philip Adeniji, speaking on behalf of political parties, pledged to work closely with INEC and security agencies. He said parties would adhere to the Electoral Act to ensure the election is credible and violence free.

Nwagwu, in his further remarks, raised concerns about voter safety and turnout. 

He cited survey data showing that 57% of voters are concerned about security, with older voters more likely to participate than younger ones. “Security is not just a governance issue. It is an electoral issue. If people feel unsafe, participation declines,” he said.

He also lamented poor knowledge of the Electoral Act among citizens and called for deeper investment in voter education beyond ritual campaigns.

Dr. Omoseyindemi speaking further, outlined INEC’s strategies to include expansion in the voter’s education, stronger collaboration with security agencies, enhanced use of technology for transparency, and strict monitoring of campaign finance. 

He said agencies like the EFCC would be involved to curb vote buying.

The dialogue ended with a unified commitment by participants to discourage electoral offences, promote peaceful participation, and strengthen democratic governance in Ekiti ahead of the governorship election.