Ekiti 2026: INEC, Security Chiefs Rally Parties for Peaceful Poll

Thirteen political parties contesting the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State have signed a peace accord as part of efforts to ensure a calm and orderly electoral process. The agreement was signed on Thursday in the presence of electoral officials, security leaders and political stakeholders.

Among those present was Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. The gathering brought together key actors involved in the election as preparations continue ahead of the governorship vote.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, called on political parties and their supporters to go beyond formal commitments and show respect for the agreement through their conduct before, during and after the election.

He said Ekiti had developed a reputation for political awareness and peaceful elections over time and urged political actors to protect that record throughout the campaign and voting period.

Amupitan also commended the National Peace Committee for its continued involvement in reducing election-related tension across the country and supporting democratic processes.

According to him, the peace accord model used in previous off-cycle elections, including the governorship election held in Anambra in 2025, had produced encouraging results. He said INEC had continued to adopt the same approach in similar elections since it was first introduced in Edo State in 2020.

The INEC chairman disclosed that 1,059,360 registered voters are expected to take part in the Ekiti governorship election. He said arrangements had been made for election activities across the state’s 16 local government areas, 177 registration areas and 2,445 polling units.

He added that the commission had also prepared for other upcoming off-cycle elections and by-elections across different states by mobilising 52,446 members of the National Youth Service Corps to support election duties.

Amupitan stated that improvements had been made in logistics, election technology and result management systems to strengthen the credibility of the process. He also warned against practices such as vote buying, intimidation of voters and political violence.

He revealed that media interest in the election remained high, with 54 media organisations and 470 journalists applying for accreditation to cover the exercise. In addition, 96 domestic observer groups and two international observer organisations had been approved to monitor the election.

The INEC chairman urged political leaders to guide their supporters toward peaceful participation, noting that political victory should not come at the cost of public order or safety.

Representing the Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Martin Agwai described the peace accord as a shared promise by stakeholders to support free, fair and peaceful elections. He urged political parties and supporters to reject violence, inflammatory language and any form of electoral misconduct.

Inspector General of Police Olatunji Disu said elections should remain a contest of policies and ideas rather than conflict. He assured residents that security agencies working through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security had put measures in place to protect voters and maintain order during the election.

Disu added that security personnel would carry out their duties with professionalism and neutrality while supporting a peaceful and credible electoral process across the state.