History is on the ballot in Ekiti State today as 1,059,360 registered voters head to polling units across the state, with Governor Biodun Oyebanji seeking to achieve what no elected governor in the state’s history has done — win re-election consecutively.
While former governors Ayodele Fayose and Kayode Fayemi each served two terms, neither secured back-to-back victories, making Oyebanji’s bid a potentially historic milestone in Ekiti’s democratic journey.
The governor faces opposition from 12 political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The PDP, which previously produced governors Fayose and Segun Oni, is fielding Oluwole Oluyede Dare, while the ADC has presented Dare Bejide as its candidate.
Oyebanji enters the contest buoyed by what supporters describe as a strong performance record over the last three years and rare bipartisan backing from key political figures, including former governors of the state across party lines.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has repeatedly assured residents of its readiness to conduct a credible election. Speaking ahead of the poll, Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi said logistical challenges had been resolved and adequate arrangements made for the deployment of personnel and materials statewide.
He also highlighted collaboration between INEC and security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, aimed at guaranteeing a peaceful voting process. According to him, the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) will be fully deployed to enable real-time upload and public viewing of polling unit results, strengthening transparency.
Despite the preparations, a coalition of civil society organisations under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Election Observation Hub has raised concerns over alleged voter inducement, political intimidation and the spread of disinformation ahead of the election.
The observers reported alleged cases of vote-buying involving cash, food items and the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and National Identification Number details through pre-funded bank accounts in parts of Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ikole, Ikere, Ekiti East and Ekiti West local government areas.
The coalition also expressed concern about misinformation circulating on social media, including unverified claims about cloned PVCs being used to manipulate election outcomes.
While describing the state’s security environment as largely peaceful, the group urged political actors and their supporters to avoid vote-buying, intimidation and the dissemination of false information. It also called on security agencies to remain professional and impartial throughout the electoral process.
Voting will take place across Ekiti’s 16 local government areas, 177 wards and 2,445 polling units, with polling scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m.
To ensure smooth conduct of the exercise, authorities have imposed restrictions on vehicular movement from midnight until 6 p.m. INEC has confirmed the distribution of sensitive materials and the readiness of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), while security agencies have deployed personnel and operational assets across strategic locations to maintain law and order.
As Ekiti voters cast their ballots, attention will not only be on who emerges victorious but also on whether the election lives up to expectations of transparency, credibility and democratic integrity.
